UNICEF's Nutrition Drive for Mafa IDP Camp

UNICEF, partnering with the NGO GoalPrime Organisation, initiated a vital nutrition and WASH intervention in the Mafa IDP camp in Borno State in October 2023 to assist 33,000 displaced individuals. This rapid response addressed high rates of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) and severe water shortages. The program provides critical nutritional supplies like Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to children aged 6 to 59 months, resulting in a noted decline in GAM rates from 14.3% to 11.3% within the camp and successful recovery outcomes for many children.

The campaign employs a community-based strategy, using trained nutrition mobilizers to screen children door-to-door, refer cases for treatment, and educate caregivers on best feeding practices. Recognizing the link between hygiene and nutrition, the intervention also features a significant Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) component, which involved rehabilitating boreholes to provide safe drinking water and prevent waterborne diseases.

This assignment centered on documenting the humanitarian response activities of UNICEF in the Mafa region of Borno State.

Women in GGASS IDP Camp waiting outside the nutrition centre for their children to examine by the health care personnel.

A mother feeds her child the ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) at the nutrition centre in GGASS IDP Camp. Mafa, Borno State

A health personnel performs a mid upper arm circumference MUAC measurement on a child allows them to quickly determine if the child is acutely malnourished

A child’s height and length being measured by a health care personnel at the nutrition centre in GGASS IDP Camp, Mafa, Borno State

A mother and child being attended to by a health care personnel at the nutrition centre in GGASS IDP Camp. Mafa, Borno State

A health personnel attends to a mother and child at the nutrition centre in GGASS IDP Camp. Mafa

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