652 Children Die of Malnutrition in Katsina Amid Aid Cuts According to Doctors Without Borders

The report says the nutrition issue is exacerbated by factors such as insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria

At least 652 children have died from malnutrition in Katsina State in the first half of 2025, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Friday, blaming international funding cuts for the worsening crisis.

MSF reported treating nearly 70,000 malnourished children in the state, with close to 10,000 hospitalised in critical condition. The number of children with the most severe form of malnutrition has risen by over 200% compared to last year.

The crisis is fueled by insecurity and violence in northern Nigeria, where bandit attacks have displaced thousands and disrupted farming, further limiting access to food and healthcare.

Low vaccination rates, poor health infrastructure, and economic hardship have intensified the problem, MSF said, calling for urgent local and international intervention.

Meanwhile, the UN’s World Food Programme warned it would suspend food and nutrition aid to 1.3 million people in Nigeria’s northeast by the end of July due to a funding shortfall.