UNICEF Partnership with MonClub International to Impact Lives in Northeast Nigeria.

MonClub was the first humanitarian Organization that started Implementation in the Bama Local Government area of Borno State from October 2022 to January 2024, in the outskirts which is Nguro Soye community in three sectors, namely WASH, PROTECTION, AND NUTRITION.

NUTRITION:

The main nutrition objective of this project is to ensure that girls and boys under the age of five and women have increased access to nutrition services during emergencies, specifically focusing on early detection, counseling, and treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Here are the key components of the project:

⦿ Screening children for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM): This involves implementing a systematic screening process that identifies over 1,000 children out of 3,000 children who are at risk or already suffering from SAM. Various methods such as weight-for-height measurements, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) assessments, and clinical examinations were used to identify children with SAM during mass MUAC screening campaigns, home visits, hospital visits, and mother MUAC approaches.

⦿ Counseling sessions on appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF): Caregivers of children with SAM received counseling sessions on appropriate infant and young child feeding practices through the care group model. These sessions guided breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and the importance of a diverse and balanced diet. The aim is to educate caregivers on how to prevent and manage SAM through proper nutrition. A total of 85 mother-to-mother support groups were formed within the review period reaching over 1,200 caregivers.

⦿ Treatment of SAM: over 1,100 Children diagnosed with SAM received appropriate and timely treatment through the provision of therapeutic foods and other nutritional supplements. The project also paid attention to monitoring the progress of these children and providing necessary follow-up care to ensure their recovery. 952 children were treated and discharged from the program after full recovery.

⦿ Appropriate defaulter tracking and referral system: To ensure the effectiveness of the project, a defaulter tracking and referral system was established. This system helped identify children who missed appointments or dropped out of the treatment program. By tracking and following up with these individuals, the project ensured that all children in need of treatment receive the necessary support. Additionally, the system facilitates referrals to higher-level health facilities for children with severe cases of SAM.

WASH:

MCI-led assessment in Nguro Soye identified water shortage as a major challenge. At that time, there were only 2 functional water facilities for a population of over 6,000 individuals. To alleviate their suffering, the following WASH activities were implemented.

⦿ Water trucking: In this project, water trucking was implemented to provide immediate relief and meet the emergency water needs of the community. By transporting water to the affected areas where regular water supply was disrupted due to an emergency, this intervention ensured that the community had access to safe and clean water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene with over 5,000 people having access to 15ltrs of water per person per day.

⦿ Drilling and rehabilitation of 7 Hand pump boreholes: To establish a sustainable and long-term water supply, the project involved drilling seven hand pump boreholes in strategic locations within the community. These boreholes provide a reliable source of clean water for the community members, reducing their dependency on external water supply systems. The project also included the installation of hand pumps to make it easier for the community to access the water.

⦿ Construction of 40 communal emergency latrines and rehabilitation of 8 household latrines: Recognizing the importance of proper sanitation, the project focused on constructing 40 communal emergency latrines. These latrines were strategically placed to ensure accessibility and privacy for the community members. Additionally, the project aimed to rehabilitate eight household latrines, ensuring that individual households have improved sanitation facilities for their personal use.

⦿ Distribution of 700 WASH NFIs: As a part of the project, 700 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Non-Food Items (WASH NFIs) were distributed to the community members. These items could include hygiene kits, water storage containers, water purification tablets, soap, and sanitary products. The distribution of these essential items promoted good hygiene practices and helped address the immediate needs of the community members.

UNICEF Nigeria Mandate

UNICEF is committed to realizing the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and has the best chance of fulfilling their potential. We believe that ensuring a happy and healthy child begins before birth: from ensuring his/her mother has access to good neonatal care and delivering in a clean, safe environment to reaching adulthood as a responsible, healthy, and informed parent to the next generation. This journey relies on a child having access to shelter, good nutrition, clean water and sanitation, healthcare, and education.