UNICEF Reports Growing Malnutrition Crisis Among Children in North-East Region

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns over the growing rate of severe malnutrition among children due to lack of access for humanitarian workers in Marte local government area of Borno State.

The UN agency said prolonged conflict in the area has continued to affect the ability for households to produce food on their farmlands, thereby resulting in increased food insecurity.

“Children in northeast Nigeria are battling escalating levels of malnutrition and they need immediate, and holistic response to address this”, said UNICEF Emergency Manager, Andrea Malatesta, after a short field mission to Marte LGA Borno State during the weekend.

“Insecurity remains the number one challenge. Access to New Marte is only possible by road and humanitarian operations rely heavily on military escort to transport personnel, supplies and other critical resources to support the local population affected by conflict.”

“Being an area with security concerns, military escorts or safety sweep are required for the safe movement of individuals and goods. However, the availability of such escorts is often inconsistent or unreliable, leading to potential risks and vulnerabilities.”

Andrea said UNICEF, alongside Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), are making sure that all food and supplements required by children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) are available.

Many households in the North-east region do not have full access to nutritious food and have developed coping strategies like skipping meals, said Andrea. “As a result, children and pregnant and lactating mothers do not have nutritious food critical to their survival and development, hence the high case of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).

Andrea added that over 460,000 children were treated for acute malnutrition across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in 2023. He stated that UNICEF and partner, Monclub International, are using the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) programme to ensure that no child dies of malnutrition, cholera or water borne diseases in New Marte.

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