At least 652 children have died in Katsina State from severe acute malnutrition between January and June 2025, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The organization describes the situation as “extremely critical,” with child malnutrition cases rising by 208% compared to the same period in 2024.
The deaths were recorded across various stabilization centres and health facilities in the state, many of which are operating beyond capacity. MSF reports treating over 10,200 children for severe acute malnutrition in the first half of the year. The organization attributes the surge to a combination of reduced humanitarian funding, insecurity, and poor access to healthcare services.
Katsina, located in northwestern Nigeria, is one of several states affected by widespread food insecurity linked to armed banditry and displacement. Thousands of farming families have been forced to abandon their lands due to insecurity, severely affecting local food production. This has contributed to higher food prices and reduced access to nutritious food for children and vulnerable populations.
International donors, including the United States, European Union, and the United Kingdom, have significantly cut back on funding for nutrition and food aid programs in Nigeria. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that beginning July 2025, it will suspend support for 1.3 million people in northeastern Nigeria, including nutritional assistance for children, due to budget constraints.
A recent nutrition survey by MSF conducted in areas like Mashi and Jibia LGAs found Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates ranging between 10.5% and 14.4%, exceeding the emergency threshold set by the World Health Organization (WHO). These figures categorize the situation as “extremely critical,” requiring immediate intervention.
In response, the Katsina State government in collaboration with UNICEF has allocated over ₦400 million worth of therapeutic food and equipment to support malnourished children. However, health workers and aid organizations say that the resources remain inadequate relative to the growing scale of the crisis.
MSF and other agencies are calling for urgent donor re-engagement, rapid scale-up of malnutrition treatment programs, and enhanced security and accessibility to affected communities. Without timely action, experts warn the second half of 2025 could record even higher mortality and malnutrition rates in Katsina and neighboring states.
