Malnutrition: MSF raises alarm over looming deadlier catastrophe in 2025

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) / Doctors Without Borders has raised alarm about the possibility of an escalating malnutrition crisis in northern Nigeria in 2025.

Dr. Simba Tirima, Country Representative for MSF in Nigeria, raised the concern in a press statement signed to DAILY POST.

He said this was the outcome of a survey conducted by the humanitarian medical organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which found extremely critical levels of malnutrition in its conclusions.

Dr. Simba explained that MSF medical teams responding in seven states spanning northern Nigeria have treated 294,000 children for malnutrition between January and September this year. This is 43 percent higher than the number of children treated in the same period in 2023.

According to him, “the projections of a further deterioration in food insecurity for the near future are also very worrying.”

“Inflation is currently very high in Nigeria, the devaluation of the local currency is continuing, agricultural yields have strongly decreased again this year, the cost of living is increasing, insecurity remains a concern in several parts of the region, and climate events are expected to continue—impacting livestock and crops.”

He said considering these factors, it shows that if no additional support is put in place, MSF fears a deadlier catastrophe in 2025.

“We have consistently raised the alarm about the escalating malnutrition crisis in northern Nigeria, and the findings of recent surveys confirm our worst fears—conditions have not improved; they have significantly deteriorated.”

“This year, our teams across locations such as Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, and Maiduguri have been overwhelmed by an unprecedented number of malnourished children requiring urgent care. We have utilized every available resource, from overflow tents to spare mattresses, to manage the influx of patients arriving at our hospitals.”

“Without meaningful and immediate action, I fear the situation could worsen dramatically in the coming year. We recognize the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s recent and ongoing efforts towards tackling malnutrition.”

“If all stakeholders increase funding and ensure a reliable supply of therapeutic food, there is hope that we can save the lives of many children next year,” Dr. Simba Tirima, Country Representative for MSF in Nigeria, said.

MSF runs nutrition projects in seven states in Nigeria: Borno, Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi.