The International Red Cross has strengthened Katsina State’s efforts to combat malnutrition with the donation of about 4,117 cartons containing 600,500 packs of Read to Use Therapeutic Food RUTF to support vulnerable children across the state.
The disclosure was made on Monday by the Secretary of the Katsina State branch of the organisation, Mr Bala Abdullahi Hussaini during an interactive session with journalists in Katsina, where he outlined the scope and impact of the Red Cross humanitarian interventions in the state.
Abdullahi Hussaini explained that the intervention, implemented through the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency was designed to complement the state government’s ongoing nutrition response, particularly in addressing Severe Acute Malnutrition among children.
He noted that several local government areas, including Bindawa, Zango and Kankia had already benefited from the distribution of the RUTF, adding that the programme was targeted at communities with high malnutrition indicators.
According to him, the donation reflects the Red Cross’s continued commitment to strengthening nutrition services in vulnerable communities, ensuring that children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition receive timely and life saving treatment.
Beyond nutrition support, Abdullahi Hussaini said the organisation through its Victim Support Funds project had also implemented peacebuilding, community resilience and youth empowerment programmes in Batsari, Jibia, Faskari and Funtua local government areas.
He added that as part of the initiative, skills acquisition equipment was distributed to 850 beneficiaries including the elderly, persons with special needs, breastfeeding mothers and youths to enhance livelihoods and promote self reliance.
The Red Cross, he further disclosed, carried out cholera response operations in Jibia, Batsari, Bindawa and Charanchi, distributing aquatabs and food items to over 600 beneficiaries while also reaching no fewer than 500,000 residents across the state with COVID-19 sensitisation campaigns and distributing 500 diphtheria awareness pamphlets.
Abdullahi Hussaini revealed that in 2021 alone, the organisation disbursed ₦124 million as cash support to beneficiaries in Jibia, Funtua and Batsari with each recipient receiving ₦35,000, underscoring the Red Cross’s sustained humanitarian presence and support for vulnerable populations in Katsina State.
