Nigeria: Over 1.7 million children under five likely acutely malnourished in the north east

: © UNICEF

Nigeria: Over 1.7 million children under five likely acutely malnourished in the north east

Report

According to the latest IPC Acute Malnutrition (AMN) analysis, high levels of acute malnutrition are prevalent in many areas between September and December 2021, with over 60% of areas analysed being in IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious) or 4 (Critical). Over 1.74 million children under the age of five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition through August 2022. This includes nearly 614,000 children severely malnourished and over one million moderately malnourished. In addition, over 151,000 pregnant and lactating women will likely be acutely malnourished.
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Actions Needed

Provide humanitarian assistance: As a first priority, deliver treatment for all children under five and pregnant and lactating women suffering from acute malnutrition to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate.
Take actions for early prevention: Strengthen measles vaccination coverage, vitamin A supplementation and control of childhood diseases. Ensure access to quality health care for vulnerable populations and strengthen the overall health system.
Promote good caring and feeding practices: Strengthen the implementation of community activities to promote good infant and young child feeding practices.
Increase access to safe water and adequate sanitation: Improve food utilisation and its impact on nutrition by facilitating people’s access to safe water sources, while intensifying hygiene and sanitation awareness and services, especially among households in hard-to-reach areas.
Monitor risk factors: Monitor morbidity patterns that may likely predispose children under the age of five to seasonal diseases, vaccination trends and distribution of vitamin A supplements, food prices, food security and needs, social assistance/humanitarian assistance, and the early warning systems to alert for floods or COVID-19 spikes.

Snapshot

The humanitarian crisis in North East Nigeria has become protracted, with conflict leading to widespread displacement, destroyed infrastructure and collapsed basic social services. Inadequate access to safe nutritious food, especially in the context of rising food prices, has led to poor feeding and breastfeeding practices. Infection trends, particularly for diarrhoea, measles and malaria, are undermining the nutritional status of children.
Download a snapshot of the situation