United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has said food security and nutrition remains fragile across the north-east.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Borno State Food and Nutrition (Technical and Steering) Committee on Tuesday Also the Chief of Field Office, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Mr. Geoffrey Ijumba decried that the region depends highly aid, lack of access to land or other livelihood opportunities.
He said the committee is expected to advice on the formulation of appropriate strategies to cushion most of the shocks and effects of the crisis on nutrition and food security across the state. “Thanks to the support from our donors, namely, DFID, Japan, ECHO, Germany, Canada, Italy and others; we will continue to support the government in the provision of preventative and curative nutrition activities” Ijumba said
Borno State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Adamu Lawan said the over a decade unique security challenges facing the state has contributed majorly in staining further already existing fragile security situation resulting from desertification, drying up of the Lake Chad and pervasive poverty. “Currently, some farmers are still living in IDP camps, relying mostly on handouts and food aids to feed themselves and their families” Lawan said
He noted that food security and nutrition programming is cross-cutting, and as such the state committee on food and nutrition is a committee involving line ministries and agencies of government implementing programmes that are geared towards tackling food insecurity and malnutrition challenges in the state.
He said the committee would ensure joint planning, appropriate consultation for effective budgeting and resource allocation, coordinated implementation of work plans, as well as joint monitoring and evaluation.
