We can not gloss over the fact that food insecurity and malnutrition are disproportionately high in the northern parts of Nigeria. It was said that the area encompassing the Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states in the country’s northwest is experiencing a rising crisis of food insecurity and malnutrition. The protracted conflict and worsening poverty situation in the region have reportedly put millions of people at risk of food insecurity. Poor dietary habits are a major factor in the deteriorating food security and nutrition situation.
Moreover, approximately 8.4 million people in the northeast, including Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states, are estimated to need humanitarian aid and protection due to a worsening food security scenario, as shown by preliminary findings from the current round of the Cadre Harmonisé (CH) study. With 2.53 million people already in need of dietary assistance, it is projected that this number will rise over the lean season. In tandem, the Mary Dinah Foundation, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), established the Zero Hunger Programme to facilitate the provision of food and nutritional supplements.
Empowering women, girls is the key to transforming society.
Through this initiative, the foundation aims to cut down on preventable deaths and illnesses spurred on by malnutrition. In its more than 16 years of aggressive effort, it has made a considerable contribution to easing the food security and malnutrition crises in northeast Nigeria. The organization takes several different initiatives, including offering food, advocating for the exclusive breastfeeding of infants and young children, raising awareness about the need for personal cleanliness and sexual assault prevention, and encouraging the use of essential healthcare services. This programme provided supplemental nourishment and multivitamins to 4 million pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children under the age of 2 in need.
The programme’s involvement doubled its effort in 2022 to give 8 million meals annually to vulnerable populations, primarily women, girls, internally displaced people, and refugees, consisting of rice, beans, lentils, and vegetables. Mary Dinah, managing director of the Zero Hunger Programme, made a comment in which she reiterated her firm belief that empowering women and girls through education is the key to transforming society. In today’s contemporary world, families are the backbone of society; thus, this is crucial.
Goals of the program span multiple sectors, including health, others.
According to her, the foundation’s mission is far stretched to encompass safeguarding women and girls from gender-based violence and providing them with maternal health training and monitoring. Additionally, creating mother-to-mother support groups is another aspect of the program that focuses on encouraging the optimal feeding practices for infants and young children. Dinah remarked that despite the project’s impressive track record of improving so many people’s lives, its dedication to helping those in need remains unwavering.
While the primary goal of this project is to address malnutrition and food insecurity, it also includes a wide range of activities that span multiple sectors, including health (such as through recommendations to antenatal and routine immunization services) and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) (through hygiene promotion within the context of COVID-19). It also helps in demonstrating access points to case management for survivors of gender-based abuse. These initiatives strengthen women’s agencies and create a more cohesive community, all of which contribute to improved economic results.
10,881 people have received micronutrient supplements.
Nonetheless, the initiative has had a significant effect on the target areas, with 2,263 pregnant women connected to ante-natal care services and 652 children linked to regular vaccination programs. Micronutrient supplements have been given to a wide range of people, including 10,881 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and 7,198 children aged 6-24 months. So far, the Zero Hunger Programme has helped impoverished people get their hands on nutritious food, ensure their access to food, and create a sustainable food system.
Related Link
ZHW: Website
Foundation enhances northeast food security – Protracted conflict has put millions of people in food insecurity risk. – Express your point of view.
Food surplus can only be done if Agriculture is well invested upon. It shows we are trying to invest in north east very well for food security.
Millions of people are apparently at danger for food insecurity as a result of the region’s protracted conflict and deteriorating poverty situation.
The foundation’s broad objective includes protecting women and girls against gender-based violence as well as educating them about and keeping an eye on their maternal health.
A growing issue of food insecurity and malnutrition is affecting the region that includes the states of Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto in the northwest of the country.
We cannot ignore the fact that food insecurity and malnutrition are at alarmingly high levels in the northern areas of Nigeria; this is a fact that cannot be ignored.
Poor eating practices are a major contributor to the deteriorating situation in terms of both food security and nutrition.
Foundation enhances northeast food security. Our Agricultural sector not okay. Our security is too bad here in Nigeria
The foundation has really contributed hugely in ensuring food security. More NGO pal so needs to take this step and help alleviate the poverty and malnutrition deficiencies in the country.
The organization has been working tirelessly for more than 16 years, and as a result, it has made a considerable contribution to easing the food security and malnutrition problems in northeast Nigeria.
Investment in agriculture is essential to achieve food security. This demonstrates our sincere efforts to secure food supplies by investing in the North East.
The purpose of the foundation has been greatly expanded to include the protection of women and girls from gender-based violence as well as the provision of training and monitoring in maternal health for these individuals.
Poor dietary habits are a major factor in the deteriorating food security and nutrition situation.The organization should try several initiatives in an effort to ease food security and malnutrition crises in Nigeria
These programs help women’s agencies become stronger and contribute to the creation of a community that is more united, all of which contribute to improvements in economic outcomes.
Because of the crucial role that families play in today’s modern society, understanding this concept is essential.
According to reports, millions of people in the region are at risk of starvation due to the ongoing violence and worsening economic conditions.
The group has been active for over 16 years, and as a result, it has helped significantly reduce food insecurity and malnutrition in northeast Nigeria.
A sound national is a healthy nation.Since life it self depends on food to sustain and grow, serious priority should be place on food security of the country so as to enhance tangible development with people with sound mind.
Food insecurity should be solve in the country putting million of people in danger of risk of food insecurity serious attention is needed about the issue
The activities of the Fulani herdsmen, boko haram and bandit are the major causes of food insecurity in the northeast part of Nigeria. The Nigerian government still have a lot to do in this regards.
Major problems confronting the northeastern part of Nigeria are the incessant attacks of Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram, Banditry etc have impoverished this region and resulted in food insecurity.