The Australian Government has provided N228 million between
2016 and now for 26 organisations working on child development and the
eradication of malnutrition in the North East.
This was, on Thursday, disclosed by the country’s High
Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Lehmann.
The Envoy who spoke in Abuja during a meeting with the
Founder/CEO of Empower 54, Modupe Ozolua, said the Australian government was
committed to reducing food insecurity among IDPs through its Direct Aid
Programme, funded by its High Commission.
He said the Australian government, through the DAP
programme, last year “provided N217m to 25 organisations working in education,
agriculture, health, good governance and water and sanitation.”
Lehmann added, “The Australian High Commission is pleased to
partner Empower 54, a non-governmental organisation, by providing a grant of
N11, 712, 644.00 towards the establishment of a Ready -to-Use Therapeutic Foods
production programme.
“The project will save the lives of an estimated 12, 000
malnourished children annually in the North East, Nigeria. The funding will
provide for the purchase of ingredients and machinery and the training of
production staff to enable the production of RUTF in Nigeria which will be
given at no cost to the beneficiaries.
“Through the DAP programme last year, the Australian
government provided approximately N217 million to 25 organisations working to
build a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria. This funding was directed towards
assisting people in a range of sectors including education, agriculture,
health, good governance and water and sanitation. DAP has a particular focus on
helping the most vulnerable members of society, including women, children and
persons living with disability.”
Ozolua said, “We are about to start a small scale production
which is strictly humanitarian. It is not for retail. The products will be
given directly to affected children. It will not be for sale.”
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