Katsina: At least 652 children have died from malnutrition in Katsina State, Nigeria, during the first six months of 2025, as reported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The organization attributes this tragic loss to significant funding cuts by major international donors.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, MSF has highlighted that the budget reductions, particularly from the United States, Britain, and the European Union, have severely affected the treatment of malnourished children in the region. The insecurity prevalent in Katsina State, located in northern Nigeria, has exacerbated the situation, leading to a sharp rise in cases of acute malnutrition among children this year. Since the beginning of the year, 652 children have succumbed to malnutrition in MSF-operated facilities.

Additionally, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced its intention to suspend food aid to about 1.3 million Nigerians in the violence-affected northeast by the end of June due to dwindling food stocks. In an attempt to mitigate the deficit caused by the withdrawal of health funding by the United States, Nigeria has allocated 200 billion lira, approximately $130 million, this year.