Malnutrition Kills 1,000 Nigerian Children Daily – Red Cross

The Red Cross Society of Nigeria has said that about 1000 children die of malnutrition-related ailments daily in the country due to increasing hunger.

LEADERSHIP learnt that on a broader picture, severe hunger affects over 26,000,000 people in the country.

The secretary-general of the Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Abubakar Ahmad Kende, disclosed this in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, yesterday.

He said the situation is particularly dire in conflict-ridden areas, where women and children are bearing the brunt of the crisis.

The secretary-general highlighted the profound suffering experienced by people, especially pregnant and nursing mothers, who are struggling to access adequate food and nutrition.

Kende noted that around 585,000 women are facing complications during delivery due to malnutrition, further exacerbating an already dire situation.

“Insecurity across Nigeria has significantly worsened the crisis, making it increasingly challenging for humanitarian organizations to reach those in need. The ongoing conflict in various regions has disrupted food supplies and access to healthcare, leading to a sharp increase in malnutrition cases,” he said.

Kende added that the situation is further complicated by the recent agitation in the south-south region, which has added to the challenges faced by farmers.