Nigeria has been listed among five countries to benefit from a five year, $31.5 million Cooperative Agreement awarded to the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).
In a Press release signed and made available to Blueprint, USAID stated that Nigeria would receive a total of $6 million in funding.
According to the statement, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the new Consumer Food Safety Evidence and Learning Platform, to enhance safe and nutritious food in the country.
The agency said the initiative will support Nigeria in improving food security, safety, nutrition, and resilience, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fund according to the release is coming from an independent non-profit foundation, which has been operating in Nigeria since 2012.
Kebbi state which has been rated as having the highest incidence of malnutrition in the country is funded at $3.5 million portion for the activity in order to help improve nutrition in the State.
The statement reads partly: “USAID recognizes that food safety is crucial for improving nutrition for a healthy, productive, and resilient Nigeria,” Colin Dreizin, the Director of USAID’s Office of Economic Growth and Environment, said at the launch. “EatSafe will explore innovative ways to engage stakeholders, including the private sector, to improve food safety and nutrition security. Ensuring safe and nutritious food for all is one of the key public health and social challenges of our time.”
“EatSafe will build off GAIN’s established relationships with informal Nigerian markets selling nutritious foods to strengthen the voice of vendors and consumers in the pandemic response and recovery. A series of rapid assessments of market resilience will help ensure Kebbi can adapt to pandemic shocks and ensure the availability of safe and nutritious foods to its people,”
EatSafe the agency noted further would not only help foster a healthier population in Nigeria but will also help guarantee safe and nutritious foods for their families.
“In accord with the U.S. Global Food Security Strategy for Nigeria’s objective of a well-nourished population, especially among women and children,” the statement added.