By CHARLES IWUOHA

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has handed over 2,832 Cartons of Nutrition Supplements to Ebonyi State government.

The agency described malnutrition as one of the most critical public health challenges facing Ebonyi State.

This was on Monday in Abakaliki during the official handover of 2,832 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS), procured through its Child Nutrition Match-Fund Project.

Juliet Chiluwe, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office, noted a steady rise in child stunting rates in Ebonyi moving from 20.6% in 2015 to 25% in 2018 and now 32% in 2024.

She said the alarming increase underscores the urgency of expanding evidence-based interventions such as SQ-LNS, especially in high-burden states like Ebonyi.

“Today’s handover is a result of the Child Nutrition Match Fund, a co-financing mechanism that promotes shared responsibility between the government, UNICEF, and development partners. We commend the Ebonyi State Government for investing N150 million, which UNICEF matched, leading to the procurement and delivery of 2,832 cartons of SQ-LNS,” she stated.

Chiluwe added that the supplements are vital during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, helping to improve growth, immunity, brain development, and survival rates when properly deployed through primary healthcare and community structures.

She called on the state government to ensure efficient last-mile distribution, particularly to rural and hard-to-reach areas.

Receiving the items on behalf of the state, Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by Deputy Governor Patricia Obila, expressed optimism that the intervention would significantly reduce malnutrition in Ebonyi.

He assured that the supplements would be distributed promptly and transparently to achieve the desired impact.