The European Union (EU) funding set to prevent a collapse of nutrition supply chains in fragile regions. This follows widespread funding cuts that disrupted access to life-saving supplies for acutely malnourished children in 2025.
EU-funding reaches fragile regions
The shortages severely affected services for children already suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM). European Union financed the transport of the therapeutic food to support programmes run by ALIMA (The Alliance for International Medical Action).
It also include other EU funded humanitarian partners in Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The RUTF sachets travelled a long distance to reach their final destinations.
Meanwhile, the shipment reached Africa by sea. However, EU-funded transportation moved the supplies by road to various distribution points.
RUTF is a high-energy, nutrient-dense food paste. It is designed to treat severe acute malnutrition without medical complications in children aged six months to five years.
“Made from peanuts, milk powder, sugar, vegetable oil, vitamins, and minerals, the paste helps children gain weight quickly and recover from malnutrition.”
Additionally, EU support is helping ALIMA and other partners treat thousands of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition across communities in Nigeria, Cameroon, and the DRC.
RUTF saved my daughter’ – A mother’s story from Katsina
Sauda Lawal, a 23-year-old mother from Katsina State, Nigeria, witnessed firsthand how RUTF saved her 12-month-old daughter, Rabi’atu. Health promoters from ALIMA visited her community for malnutrition screening and discovered that Rabi’atu was malnourished.
“She had fever, diarrhoea, and vomiting. She lost a lot of weight. I was worried and scared she would not survive. When I brought her here, they gave her milk and ready-to-use therapeutic food,” Saudat recalled.
However, ALIMA Medical Coordinator, Dr Joseph-Désiré Yuma, described the RUTF shipment as a lifeline for many children. He stressed that the product is vital to treating malnutrition.
Furthermore, 3,822 children were admitted for treatment of severe malnutrition in ALIMA-supported outpatient programmes. Additionally, 3,594 were discharged as cured from the programme in Northwest Nigeria alone.
The medical coordinator expressed gratitude for the EU humanitarian support. Dr. Yuma stated that it helps ensure more children receive the urgent treatment they need.
In another development, the EU has allocated €100 million in emergency humanitarian aid for Lebanon. The bloc urges all parties to fully respect the truce and pave the way for lasting peace.