By Edito By our correspondent
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says malnutrition cases treated at health facilities it supports in northeastern Nigeria increased by 18 per cent between January and September 2026, compared with the same period in 2025.
The organisation said admissions at six health centres and four hospitals it supports rose from about 17,000 in the first nine months of 2025 to nearly 20,000 during the corresponding period in 2026.
Aliyu Dawobe, ICRC Communication Officer, Abuja Delegation, disclosed this in a statement made available to NAN nookcrannies on Thursday, ahead of the 2026 World Food Day.
He attributed the rising cases to worsening food insecurity, conflict, climate-related shocks and economic pressures that continue to limit vulnerable households’ access to adequate and nutritious food.
The organisation identified children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers among those particularly vulnerable to the effects of malnutrition.
In Mubi, Adamawa, the situation was more pronounced, with cases increasing by about 24 per cent, from 4,600 to 5,700 during the period under review.
The ICRC said the figures reflected the growing nutrition challenges confronting communities affected by prolonged armed conflict and disrupted livelihoods in northeastern Nigeria.
It noted that insecurity had disrupted farming activities, displaced communities and weakened household incomes, leaving many families struggling to meet their basic food needs.
The organisation added that children under five were particularly at risk because of their nutritional needs for healthy growth and development.
At the Mubi Stabilisation Centre, a mother, Zulaihatu Mohammed, described the health challenges facing her six-month-old twin daughter, Huseina, who had been unwell since birth.
“When I gave birth to them, this one was tiny. She is not feeling well. Since I gave birth to her, she has been unwell,” she said.
The ICRC said its response combined the treatment of malnutrition with interventions aimed at improving food security and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable households.
Working with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, it supports 15 primary healthcare centres and four hospitals, reaching more than 200 communities.
The interventions include the distribution of drought- and flood-tolerant seeds, promotion of crop diversification and support for maternal and child nutrition.
The organisation also promotes the preparation of Tom Brown, a locally produced nutritional blend made from ingredients such as sorghum, millet, soybeans, groundnuts and moringa.
According to the ICRC, its interventions have helped more than 13,000 young children recover from moderate acute malnutrition.
However, it stressed that treating malnutrition alone would not address the crisis without tackling the underlying causes of food insecurity and improving families’ access to adequate nutrition.
A farmer, Saminu Samiyu Ijaduwa, said insecurity continued to restrict agricultural activities in conflict-affected communities.
“Due to the conflict, going one kilometre out of town to farm could be highly risky. You might not return!” he said.
The ICRC said the combination of insecurity, climate-related shocks and economic hardship had further constrained agricultural production and increased pressure on household food supplies.
It also cited food security projections indicating that more than 34 million people in Nigeria could face insufficient food supplies in 2026.
World Food Day, observed annually on Oct. 16, raises awareness of hunger, food security and the need to ensure access to safe and nutritious food.
The ICRC called for sustained support for nutrition services, healthcare, agricultural production and livelihood programmes, particularly in conflict-affected communities.
It also emphasised the need to protect civilians and enable farmers to access their fields safely to sustain food production and improve household food security.
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