Community volunteers pledge crackdown on nutrition aid diversion in Kaduna

Community volunteers pledge crackdown on nutrition aid diversion in Kaduna

Community Volunteers (CVs) inaugurated into Ward-Level Aid Diversion Taskforce Committees in Kaduna pledge crackdown commitment to protecting nutrition commodities from diversion and misuse.

The volunteers made the commitment on Thursday, during the inauguration and orientation programme organised to strengthen governance, transparency and accountability mechanisms, in nutrition and other medical supplies distribution.

Voice Media Trust (VMT NEW) reports that the initiative was organised by the Kaduna  government,  in collaboration with UNICEF across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

NAN also reports that the taskforce committees were also inaugurated at both the state and the local government level.

Speaking at the ward-level inauguration in Zaria LGA, Fatima Dahiru, a CV from Layin Sarki Primary Health Care Centre in Tudun Wada, said the training would improve nutrition support for vulnerable children.

Dahiru said proper monitoring of nutrition commodities would help children suffering from malnutrition and other health challenges, receive adequate care and healthy feeding support.

She added that  knowledge gained during the training would also help volunteers educate caregivers on proper nutrition and healthy feeding practices for children.

Another volunteer, Dauda Yarima of Kakidere Primary Health Care Centre in Lere LGA pledged to support efforts aimed at preventing diversion of nutrition commodities.

Read Also: Junaid begins new era at Guards Polo Club, unveils ambitious…

Yarima said the volunteers would monitor activities within communities, hospitals, chemists and markets, in a bid  to identify illegally diverted government nutrition supplies.

According to him, any individual found selling nutrition commodities meant for beneficiaries will  be reported to appropriate authorities for necessary action.

Another CV from Kajuru LGA, Danboyi Mutumi, commended the state government for prioritising the wellbeing of children.

He pledged to sensitise women in his community,  on the importance of attending Ante-Natal Care (ANC) programmes, to promote healthy child development.

Another CV from Birnin Gwari LGA, Hannatu Rabiu, said the orientation had refreshed her understanding of her responsibilities.

She promised to ensure proper utilisation of nutrition commodities in her community.

Also speaking, Muhammad Tukur, Assistant Director, Nutrition Department, Kaduna  Primary Health Care Board, said the volunteers were carefully selected because of their strong community presence and proximity to health facilities.

Tukur said the volunteers had direct interaction with residents and were strategically positioned to monitor the  distribution and utilisation of nutrition supplies at community level.

He explained that the task force was established to track diversion of nutrition commodities procured by government and development partners, for free distribution to beneficiaries.

According to him, investigations reveal that some nutrition commodities do not get to  intended beneficiaries at the grassroots level.

Tukur said the government introduced the initiative to identify and hold accountable individuals involved in the diversion or misuse of nutrition supplies.

He urged the volunteers to carry out their responsibilities with integrity, trust and commitment, in order to protect vulnerable children and communities.

The Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, Chinwe Ezeife, said the ward-level taskforce committees comprised Ward Development Committees and selected community volunteers.

Ezeife described the volunteers as critical stakeholders in preventing diversion and ensuring accountability in last-mile distribution of nutrition commodities.

She said the volunteers would monitor supplies from health facilities to households and ensure that targeted caregivers and children received the commodities appropriately.

According to her, the volunteers will also conduct end-user monitoring, to confirm proper utilisation of nutrition supplies by caregivers and families.

Ezeife explained that the initiative followed earlier inauguration of state and local government aid diversion committees, to strengthen oversight and coordination mechanisms.

She added that about 164 ward-level committee members across the 23 LGAs had been trained to support weekly monitoring and accountability processes.

According to her, the volunteers remain vital because they live within the communities and maintain direct links between households and health facilities.

Ezeife expressed optimism that the initiative would further strengthen transparency, accountability and effective delivery of life-saving nutrition interventions across the state.