The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sounded a grave warning over the rampant diversion and illegal sale of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) meant for severely malnourished children in Nigeria’s conflict-hit northeastern states, particularly Borno and Adamawa.
Speaking in Maiduguri on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting, UNICEF Chief of the Maiduguri Field Office, Joseph Senesie, expressed deep concern that the unauthorised resale of RUTF by health workers, transporters, and traders was becoming “out of hand,” potentially threatening the lives of over half a million children across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.
“This is a major crisis. For a child to die because the therapeutic food meant for them is stolen is alarming,” Senesie said. “It is now being sold in markets and online. Those behind this act are depriving children of their right to life. If donors withdraw support due to this abuse, many more children will die.”
UNICEF has conducted internal investigations confirming the widespread diversion of the nutritional aid, and has called on law enforcement agencies, government transporters, and health workers to take immediate action to halt the malpractice.
The agency also appealed to the media to intensify awareness campaigns to protect children’s rights.
Senesie urged that any confiscated supplies be returned promptly to the Ministry of Health to prevent expiration and ensure they reach those in need.
“These commodities are not meant to sit in police storage facilities. They are for the children. Let’s get them to where they are needed,” he stressed
