Imagine an Africa whose people are healthier, better educated, and empowered. Picture a generation of African children equipped with the tools they need to change the world in their own unique way. What could that possibly look like?
The effects of poverty are felt most keenly by children. According to UNICEF, one in three Nigerian children suffers from stunted growth due to malnutrition – which means they may never fully reach their potential!
It is heart-wrenching to walk down the streets of Kano, Lagos, Bauchi or any of the other 33 Nigerian states and see children suffering from malnutrition.
Why Eliminating Malnutrition Should Be Our First Priority
A child’s first 1000 days are the most important in their development. This is a time when their brains begin to form. They require the right vitamins and micronutrients to survive and thrive.
In Nigeria, over two million children suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), and only two out of every ten affected children are reached with treatment. The number of young children who do not have access to nutritious and safe food is heartbreaking.
Protecting and improving the health outcomes of Nigerian children is crucial for our country’s long-term growth. It is our responsibility to give them a healthy environment for them to grow and thrive.
ADFIN: Eliminating Malnutrition in Nigeria
The Aliko Dangote Foundation, in collaboration with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), launched an initiative committed to tackling the scourge of malnutrition in Nigeria.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation Integrated Nutrition (ADFIN) initiative seeks to break the vicious cycle of poverty and malnutrition through nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions.
The objectives of this initiative include:
- Helping at least 1 million children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) using the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) approach by 2025.
- Reaching at least 1 million vulnerable households from communities that contribute the most to the SAM burden with increased self-reliance through livelihood support.
- Reaching at least 1 million vulnerable households, from communities that contribute the most to the SAM burden, with engendered optimal nutrition, hygiene, care seeking behaviour.
- Improving federal, state, and local government capacity to deliver nutrition interventions through advocacy and coordination.
Through ADFIN, we aim to ensure that our goal of building an Africa whose people are healthier, better educated, and empowered becomes a reality.
In order for Nigeria to reach its full potential, we need to invest in our children. It is the single most significant investment that we can make.
Join us on our mission, and let us bring together a brighter tomorrow for our children.
