Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has issued a warning about the increasing malnutrition crisis in northern Nigeria, with concerns that a deadlier catastrophe may arise in 2025.
According to Dr. Simba Tirima, the Country Representative for MSF in Nigeria, a survey conducted by the organization revealed critical levels of malnutrition in the region.
The report highlighted that MSF medical teams in seven states in northern Nigeria treated 294,000 children for malnutrition between January and September of the current year, which represents a 43 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Dr. Simba expressed worry about the projections of further deterioration in food insecurity due to various factors such as high inflation, currency devaluation, decreased agricultural yields, rising cost of living, insecurity, and climate events affecting livestock and crops.
Dr. Simba emphasized the urgency of additional support to prevent a potentially devastating crisis in 2025. He stressed that despite MSF’s efforts, the situation has significantly worsened, with an overwhelming number of malnourished children requiring urgent care in various locations such as Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, and Maiduguri.
The MSF representative called for immediate action and increased funding from all stakeholders to ensure a reliable supply of therapeutic food, which could help save the lives of many children in the upcoming year.
MSF currently operates nutrition projects in seven states in Nigeria, striving to address the escalating malnutrition crisis and provide critical care to those in need.
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