Between July 2024 and June 2025, nearly 4.5 million children aged 6 to 59 months are facing or expected to face acute malnutrition, including approximately 1.4 million cases of severe acute malnutrition and 3.1 million cases of moderate acute malnutrition. It is also estimated that 3.7 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are facing or expected to face acute malnutrition over the same period.

The IPC Acute Malnutrition (AMN) analysis covered 358 units of analysis including health zones (301), territories (53) and provinces (4). These National-scale estimates are not comparable to those of previous years, which only covered part of the health zones. 

In the current period (July – December 2024), which coincides with a drop in acute malnutrition, eight units of analysis (23 health zones) are in IPC AMN Phase 4 (Critical) and 49 units of analysis are in IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious). 

Between January and June 2025 (projected period of the analysis coinciding with the increase in cases of malnutrition), a significant deterioration in the nutritional situation is expected with 12 units of analysis deteriorating from Phase 3 to 4 and 8 units remaining in Phase 4. In addition, 67 areas in IPC AMN Phase 2 (Alert) are projected to move to Phase 3 and 37 units of analysis are expected to remain in Phase 3 totaling 104 analysis units in Phase 3 over the projected period if adequate measures to mitigate acute malnutrition are not taken. 

The factors leading to acute malnutrition include low quality of food, acute food insecurity, a high prevalence of childhood illnesses (malaria, infections respiratory, and diarrheal diseases in children under five years old), epidemics (measles, cholera, monkeypox), poor hygiene conditions (inaccessibility to adequate sanitation facilities), poor access to drinking water, as well as the negative effects of the security situation, leading to massive population displacements. 

The nutritional situation of children under five remains a concern and requires urgent interventions to reverse trends in acute malnutrition and prevent further deterioration. However, nutritional actions alone will not be enough. It is crucial to support a multi-sectoral response aimed at improving the provision of quality basic social services (WASH, food, social protection, gender, etc.). 

Short-term response objectives:

• Establish the emergency program for integrated management of acute malnutrition (PCIMA) in health structures care (UNTA and UNTI) to reduce acute malnutrition in health zones, territories and provinces classified in Phase 3 and 4.
• Ensure the continuation of the integrated management of acute malnutrition program (PCIMA) in areas in Phase 1 and 2 in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate linked to malnutrition. 
• Strengthen surveillance and management measures for common diseases (diarrhea, malaria, ARI, measles) to mothers and children at the community level. 

Medium and long-term response objectives

• Sustain care and improve coverage of integrated management of acute malnutrition (PCIMA) in all health structures (UNTA and UNTI) with nutritional inputs and medicines. 
• Provide continuing training and financial support for community relays and health personnel in order to strengthen nutritional surveillance and care. 
• Promote an improvement in WASH indicators by increasing infrastructure for access to water and sanitation, by prioritizing areas where malnutrition rates are the highest and effective communication activities for change in hygiene behavior.