Nigeria, ECOWAS Initiate Nutrition and Cash Aid for Vulnerable Citizens

The federal government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has launched a nutrition support and cash transfer program benefiting 7,347 individuals.

The programme, which was launched yesterday, aims to provide essential nutrients and financial support to vulnerable individuals, including children, pregnant women and elderly persons in the state.

The initiative is part of the ECOWAS-Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (FMHAPA)-World Food Programme (WFP) Stabilisation Project, Phase 2.

The permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Abel Enitan, said the programme will provide nutrition assistance and cash transfers to 7,347 beneficiaries in Katsina State, with each beneficiary receiving a stipend to support their basic needs.

“The project will impact 14,694 vulnerable populations in Katsina and Sokoto States, with each having a total of 7,347 beneficiaries.

“By providing nutritional support, we ensure that no child goes to bed hungry, that pregnant women have the nourishment they need, and that our elderly are cared for. The cash-based transfer vouchers, on the other hand, would provide families with the flexibility to prioritise their spending according to their most urgent needs, be it food, healthcare or education,” he said.

Representative of the ECOWAS commission, Godfrey Alozie, pledged the organisation’s commitment to supporting members of the state, stressing that ECOWAS’ support in the last three years gulped about $25 million in humanitarian services.

He then called on Nigerians to note that there is no better time than now to improve humanitarian support for the development and peace of the region.

Representative of the United Nations World Food Programme (UNEFP), Manuela Reinfeld, said with collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in the implementation of the programme, they would be able to make long-lasting differences in the lives of the vulnerable households in the state.

Governor Umaru Radda of Katsina State thanked the development partners for choosing Katsina State among the beneficiaries, assuring them of his government’s continued support to improve the well-being of vulnerable persons in the state.

He explained that the rural roads would be constructed by the World Bank and the French Development Agency in collaboration with the federal government and 19 collaborating states, including Bauchi.