Over 650 Children Die of Malnutrition in Nigeria Amid Deepening Humanitarian Crisis

At least 652 children have died from malnutrition in Nigeria’s Katsina State over the past six months, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The alarming death toll comes amid a surge in severe malnutrition cases and drastic cuts in international aid.

MSF reported a 208% increase in admissions of malnourished children this year compared to the same period in 2024. The organization attributed this worsening crisis to shrinking global donor funding from key contributors such as the U.S., U.K., and EU, which has led to scaled-back nutrition and health programs in vulnerable areas.

Katsina, located in Nigeria’s northwest, is one of the states hardest hit by ongoing armed violence and insecurity. Persistent attacks by armed groups have displaced thousands, forcing families to abandon farmland and livelihoods. This has significantly worsened food shortages in an already fragile region.

The situation may further deteriorate as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced it will suspend food and nutritional support for 1.3 million people in Nigeria’s insurgency-affected northeast due to resource constraints.

In response, the Nigerian government has pledged 200 billion naira (about $130 million) to strengthen the health sector and combat malnutrition. While MSF welcomed the effort, it emphasized that the scale of the emergency demands more comprehensive and immediate action.

MSF health workers are struggling to keep pace with the influx of severely malnourished children in their treatment centers. They warned that without urgent international assistance, the number of child deaths could escalate rapidly in the coming months.

The humanitarian agency urged global donors to restore funding and prioritize nutrition programs to prevent further loss of life. The crisis in Katsina highlights the devastating impact of aid cuts in conflict-ridden regions, where children remain among the most vulnerable.