UNICEF raises alarm over widespread diversion and resale of vital malnutrition food (RUTF) meant for vulnerable children in Borno and Adamawa states, warning of potential child deaths

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a stark warning regarding the rampant diversion and resale of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a critical nutritional supplement intended for over half a million malnourished children in Borno and Adamawa states.

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Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri on Tuesday during a stakeholder meeting, the UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Joseph Senesie, described the situation as “going out of hand,” highlighting the involvement of workers, transporters, and traders in the illicit activity.

“The issue is going out of hand, where either traders, transporters, and some workers been found involved or caught for misusing or diverting supplies, which is a major issue to UNICEF,” Senesie stated.

He revealed that UNICEF investigations have uncovered the sale of these free commodities both online and in markets, urging law enforcement agencies to intervene and ensure the supplies reach the intended vulnerable children.

“For a child to die because the product meant for them is stolen is alarming to us.” – Joseph Senesie, UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office

UNICEF is targeting over half a million children across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states with these vital nutritional provisions.

Highlighting the devastating consequences of the diversion, Senesie emphasized, “For a child to die because the product meant for them is stolen is alarming to us.

This problem is huge, we all know how insecurity, food insecurity and everything is affecting families and those who are displaced, so if those doing this sell these commodities, you are depriving the children, and they are going to die, and not only that, we will not have resources for those who really needs it, donors will stop.”

Senesie passionately called on all stakeholders to actively contribute to safeguarding the rights of malnourished children.

He urged law enforcement agencies to take decisive action, the government to ensure transporters use proper way-bills for nutritional commodities, traders and buyers to cease the illegal sale and purchase of these free supplies, and health workers to refrain from any involvement in their diversion.

He also appealed to the media to support UNICEF’s advocacy for children’s rights and its campaign against the diversion.

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Furthermore, Senesie called on security agencies to return any confiscated diverted supplies to the state government’s Ministry of Health to prevent their expiration and ensure they are used for their intended purpose, rather than being stored in police facilities.