UNICEF Advocates for Child Nutrition in First 1000 Days

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stressed the significance of proper breastfeeding and locally sourced food nutrients during the first 1000 days of a child's life, which includes the gestation period and the first two years after birth. Dr.

Ngozi Onuora, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist at the Enugu Field Office, made these remarks during a one-day Review, Planning, and Scale-up on the First 1000 Days Dietary Diversity Initiative held in Enugu on July 20th. She recommended exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and highlighted the need for diverse diets from local sources such as vegetables and crops.

UNICEF reported that 15% of children in Enugu State experience stunted growth, indicating insufficient dietary allowance. Dr.

Onuora expressed concern that despite Enugu's agrarian nature, malnutrition persists. UNICEF is implementing a program in Enugu and six other states to combat child malnutrition, focusing on dietary diversity after six months of exclusive breastfeeding.