The Nigerian Red Cross Society has raised an alarm over the growing malnutrition crisis affecting children in nine states across Northern Nigeria. According to the humanitarian organization, over 5.4 million children are suffering from malnutrition in regions severely impacted by insecurity and displacement. These states include Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, Benue, and Kano.
Dr. Aminu Abdullahi, Acting Director of the Health and Care Department at the Red Cross, made this revelation during the launch of the Nigeria Malnutrition Emergency Appeal (Northwest Zone) in Kano on Tuesday. He highlighted that of the 5.4 million affected children, 1.8 million are in critical condition, facing severe malnutrition.
“About 63% of local government areas in these states are affected,” Dr. Abdullahi explained. “Insecurity has displaced many people from their homes and farmlands, destroying food sources. It’s not just about food quantity; the quality of the food also matters.”
Prince Oluyemisi Adetayo Adeaga, National President of the Red Cross, described malnutrition as a “silent killer,” stressing the need for urgent intervention. “Malnutrition stunts the development of human systems and can lead to new diseases due to the lack of basic nutrition,” he warned.
Despite the alarming situation in the north, the Red Cross continues to take preventive action by engaging communities, creating awareness, and screening malnourished children for proper referrals. In Kano, where the crisis has not reached the severity seen in other states, local leaders are increasingly concerned about the potential for widespread hunger across Nigeria.
Barrister Salisu Sallama, Chairman of the Kano State Red Cross, expressed his worries, noting that while the situation in Kano is not yet as dire, the threat of worsening hunger looms over the entire country.
The Nigerian Red Cross’s ongoing efforts underscore the urgency of addressing this humanitarian crisis, as millions of children remain at risk of life-threatening malnutrition in the region.
