The Federal Government and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have launched a nutrition assistance and cash transfer program for 7,347 beneficiaries. The program, which was launched yesterday, is designed to provide essential nutrients and financial support to vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly in Katsina State.
This initiative is part of the second phase of the ECOWAS-Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (FMHAPA)-World Food Programme (WFP) Stabilization Project. Abel Enitan, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, stated that the program will deliver nutrition assistance and cash transfers to 7,347 beneficiaries in Katsina State, with each receiving a stipend to help meet their basic needs.
“The project will impact 14,694 vulnerable individuals in Katsina and Sokoto States, with 7,347 beneficiaries in each state,” Enitan explained. “By offering nutritional support, we ensure that no child goes to bed hungry, that pregnant women receive the nourishment they need, and that our elderly are cared for. The cash-based transfer vouchers will also give families the flexibility to prioritize their spending according to their most pressing needs, whether it be food, healthcare, or education.”
Godfrey Alozie, a representative of the ECOWAS Commission, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting the state’s residents, noting that ECOWAS has spent approximately $25 million on humanitarian services over the past three years. He emphasized the importance of enhancing humanitarian support for the development and peace of the region.
Manuela Reinfeld, a representative of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), highlighted that with the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in the program’s implementation, they can make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable households in the state.
Governor Umaru Radda of Katsina State expressed gratitude to the development partners for selecting Katsina as a beneficiary, assuring them of his government’s ongoing support to improve the well-being of vulnerable populations in the state. He also mentioned that rural roads will be constructed in collaboration with the World Bank, the French Development Agency, the federal government, and 19 partnering states, including Bauchi.