New York, Apr 28 2010 1:10PM
The United Nations has joined forces with authorities in Niger to fight malnutrition among children under the age of two – often the most vulnerable to food shortages – in the West African nation, where a food crisis has affected more than half of its 14 million-strong population.
Some 800 children received their first of four supplementary food rations in the village of Koléram, in southern Niger, today, as part of a UN-backed blanket feeding operation to reach 500,000 children with food in areas where acute malnutrition rates are critical.
A monthly ration comprises more than eight kilograms of corn soy blend with sugar and nearly 1 kilogram of oil-enriched vitamin A.
For its part, UN World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/">WFP) is providing nearly 18 megatons of food to feed 500,000 children as part of the scheme, launched in response to a Government appeal issued in March.
In Niger, one in two children suffers from stunted growth, and more than 3 million people are in need of immediate food assistance.
"Children are the first to suffer from climatic shocks, a situation we are witnessing today," said Guido Cornale, Niger country director for the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF).
To prevent further deterioration of children's health, the agency is working to train census takers, mobilize communities, and raise awareness of and screen for malnutrition.
"These prevention activities are crucial in tackling the situation and ensuring the success of the blanket feeding operation," Mr. Cornale emphasized.
His WFP counterpart, Richard Verbeeck, noted that the fact that Niger is a landlocked country made it a challenge to bring in the necessary supplies swiftly.
The top UN humanitarian official is currently visiting Niger, where he helped to launch the blanket feeding scheme today in the department of Mirriah, in the country's south.
John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, yesterday visited the nearby department of Tanout, where living conditions are characterized by extreme poverty in a fragile economy dependent mainly on agriculture and pastoral activities, which have been greatly affected by a prolonged drought.
Access to food, water, education, health and all other social services remains poor. An annual population growth rate estimated at 4.4 per cent has exacerbated chronic vulnerability.
In a visit to the supplementary feeding centre in Tanout's main hospital, where children under the age of five suffering from malnutrition receive intensive therapeutic care, Mr. Holmes talked to medical staff about the children's nutritional status. He was told that acute malnutrition is on the rise, and admissions to the hospital are expected to peak in May-June.
Apr 28 2010 1:10PM
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/
No comments:
Post a Comment