By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Amatakhitswen Vulnerable and Less Privileged Foundation (AVLPF), a non-governmental organization based in Taraba State, has expressed concern over the rising number of children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in the state.
According to the Executive Director, Wabuji Ishaku Adda, over 500 children have been identified as suffering from SAM, with 14 cases referred to health facilities. Unfortunately, two of these children succumbed to their condition, while the remaining 12 are responding to treatment, care, and therapeutic and supplementary food.
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Adda noted that the children under treatment are recovering, gaining weight, and showing significant health improvements. However, she lamented that hundreds of children in rural areas are dying due to malnutrition, with their parents unable to afford even one square meal a day due to economic hardship.
The Executive Director appealed to the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), wealthy individuals, and the government to support the organization in addressing this crisis, citing funding constraints as a major challenge. According to UNICEF statistics, over 2 million children in Nigeria suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
