New malnutrition investment announced

A new investment has been made by Unicef to support malnutrition in Nigeria.

The organisation made the announcement while visiting the country and indicated that an additional $1.8 million (£1.06 million) will go towards malnutrition programmes at community-based nutrition stations.

Ann M Veneman, executive director of Unicef, revealed that families will be encouraged to provide their children with preventative and curative help at the stations.

"Lack of essential health services, malnutrition, inadequate access to clean water and basic sanitation contribute to high rates of child mortality," she stated.

"Through close cooperation among the government of Nigeria and religious and traditional leaders, there is hope."

In addition, $5 million has been allocated by the UN children's group to combat polio in Nigeria.

The first ever National Child Health Week in Nigeria is currently underway. A focus on fighting malaria is being encouraged during the week, as the disease is the number one killer of children in the nation aged under five-years-old.

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