UN, MSF Warn as 652 Children Die from Malnutrition in First Half of 2025.
Nigeria is grappling with a worsening hunger crisis, as revealed by new reports from the United Nations and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). From January to June 2025, MSF recorded at least 652 child deaths in Katsina State due to severe malnutrition. Experts partly attribute this spike to funding shortfalls and persistent bandit attacks which displaced farming families.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a fresh warning: funding constraints could force the suspension of food aid by August, affecting over 1.3 million people in conflict-hit zones. In Borno alone, 150 nutrition clinics could shut down, endangering 300,000 children and leaving 700,000 internally displaced persons without support.
In response, the Nigerian government has earmarked 200 billion naira (approx. $130 million) toward health sector support. However, observers caution that this domestic response may fall short without renewed international assistance to fill the widening gaps.
Analysts are decrying the situation as a human rights disaster, urging global donors and Nigerian leadership to act fast. With malnutrition-related deaths surging and aid dwindling, the crisis threatens not only public health but national stability—especially in volatile northern regions.
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