Multi-sectoral life-saving assistance to conflict-affected population in Pulka, Borno State, Nigeria This project’s objective is to contribute to the reduction of mortality and morbidity of the most vulnerable, IDPs and host community, including children under 5 years old and pregnant and lactating women, in the hard-to-reach area of Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA), by providing a multi-sectoral integrated nutrition and health response. The proposed activities align with NHF strategy and the Health and Nutrition sectors’ priorities, including targeting this hard-to-reach area in Northeast Nigeria’s Borno State, the most affected state by the large-scale humanitarian crisis.  

Nutrition sector: To meet the gaps identified in Pulka in the provision of treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM), notably the absence of any Stabilization Centre (SC) in the whole Gwoza LGA, and to improve access to adequate and free high-quality life-saving services for malnourished children aged 0 to 59 months, PUI will first establish a SC in Pulka PHCC, where SAM cases with medical complications will be referred to and treated. PUI will also establish an Outpatient Therapeutic feeding Programme (OTP) in MCH Damara, to treat severe acute malnutrition cases without medical complications. Children admitted will be provided WASH in Nutrition Kits.   

Health sector: Premiere Urgence Internationale (PUI) will continue providing free quality life-saving healthcare services to IDPs and the host community. Under NHF grant, PUI will expand MCH Damara’s current health activities to include basic BEmNOC (Basic Emergency Neonatal and Obstetric Care), and by providing comprehensive sexual reproductive health services to pregnant and lactating women. PUI will also increase the health centre’s capacity to meet the influx of patients due to recurring displacements, providing free outpatient consultations to all age groups for communicable and non-communicable diseases. PUI will ensure procurements of the pharmaceutical and medical equipment required for the facility's full operational capacity.    

Our national partner, NGO Albarka Health Spring Foundation (AHSF), will conduct sensitization activities within the communities in the nutrition sector: nutrition education and information will be disseminated through networks of Community Nutrition Mobilisers (CNMs), and Mother Care Groups (MCGs). AHSF will also conduct MUAC screenings for children aged 0-59 months and refer malnourished children to treatment centres. AHSF's participation in this project will further anchor the project’s and PUI's acceptance in the community.

PUI has been implementing integrated health, nutrition, protection, food security and livelihood projects in northeast Nigeria since 2016, where it is a recognized humanitarian actor, an active member of the Health, Nutrition, Protection, Food Security and Logistics sectors, and various other groups. PUI’s knowledge of Northeast Nigeria and Pulka contexts, its acceptance by local communities will be guiding its intervention strategy.  

PUI is currently implementing a separate health project in Pulka, funded by ECHO, which will be complemented by this intended action.