At least 652 children have died from malnutrition in Nigeria’s Katsina state in the first six months of 2025, a humanitarian organization said on Friday. The deaths are attributed to funding cuts by international donors.
Katsina, located in Nigeria’s north, is plagued by insecurity and banditry, which has forced people to abandon their farms and flee. In response, the government has allocated 200 billion naira ($130 million) this year to address the shortfall caused by the withdrawal of funding from the health sector.
The United Nations food agency announced on Wednesday that it will suspend aid for 1.3 million people in Nigeria’s northeast region at the end of July due to depleted stocks.
Malnutrition cases in Katsina have increased by 208% compared to last year, with 652 children having died since January 2025. MSF attributed this increase to funding cuts from major donors like the US, UK, and EU.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-07-25/at-least-652-children-died-from-malnutrition-in-nigeria-in-last-six-months-msf-says