The Federal Government and Action Against Hunger (AAH) have advocated that nutrition should be a major part of the COVID-19 prevention strategies, to build the resilience of children and the nation as a whole.

Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, said that the COVID-19 had had a devastating impact on communities and has worsened hunger in most vulnerable parts of the country, such as the northeast zone.

Speaking at an event organised by AAH to commemorate the World Food Day in Abuja, Tallen, represented by the Director, Child Unit, Jummai Muhammad, said the call became imperative because of Nigeria’s peculiar challenges.

She said available reports indicated that Nigeria had the highest number of children affected by malnutrition globally, with more than 2.5 million suffering from acute malnutrition.

Tallen said: “Women and children are most impacted by COVID-19 and of the national prevalence rate, 32 per cent of children under five, only two out of every 10 children affected is currently reached with treatment. Reports also show that Nigeria has the highest burden of stunted children in the world.” Guardian