At least 652 children died from malnutrition in Nigeria in last six months, MSF says
Katsina, in the north of the country, is plagued by insecurity.
"We are currently witnessing massive budget cuts, particularly from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, which are having real impact on the treatment of malnourished children," said MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders.
On Wednesday, the United Nations food agency said it will be forced to suspend food and nutrition aid for 1.3 million people in Nigeria's insurgency-hit northeast at the end of July because stocks have run out.
Nigeria has budgeted 200 billion naira ($130 million) this year to cushion the shortfall from the withdrawal of funding to the health sector by the U.S.
MSF said the number of children in Katsina with the most severe form of malnutrition has risen by about 208% this year compared with the same period last year and "unfortunately 652 children have already died in our facilities since the beginning of 2025".
Banditry is rife in Katsina where insecurity has displaced many people, forcing them to abandon their farms.
The government, alongside local civilian vigilante groups, has struggled to contain the activities of bandits.
($1 = 1,530.8800 naira)
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Watermelon na one fruit wey many pipo like well-well, especially for places wey dey hot. Pipo like am becos e get plenty water and e sweet for mouth. Watermelon na centuries old fruit wey dey juicy and sweet, and many pipo see am as perfect treat to quench thirst during serious heat. Wit bright red flesh and little seeds wey full di body, watermelon get plenty nutrients and antioxidants wey include vitamins A and C. For interview wit BBC News Pidgin, one dietitian, Sa'adutu Sulaiman for Kano state, northern Nigeria tok say "apart from say watermelon sweet, e get plenty beta health benefits." She add say all dis beta tins wey watermelon dey do na sake of di water wey full am and some special tins wey dey inside like lycopene (wey dey make am red) and citrulline. Watermelon na natural source of citrulline. Citrulline na amino acid wey fit support beta erections. Dietitian Sulaiman say watermelon na natural Viagra wey dey help men wey get low sexual performance, e dey increase blood flow to di penis, wey dey allow men to easily get erection wit arousal. "Research don show say citrulline wey dey watermelon fit help men wey get small wahala wit performance as e dey help blood flow well to di penis" she add. Health benefits of watermelon Dis na some of di health benefits wey dey inside watermelon according to Dietitian Sulaiman. Nutritional profile (per 100g of raw watermelon) Watermelon seeds dey good for eating? Health experts say watermelon seeds get less sugar and more fiber pass dia flesh. Di seed also contain citrulline. Watermelon seeds — dried or raw — dey rich in magnesium and folate, wey dey help your body work well and avoid disease. Seeds also get di types of fatty acids wey dey lower bad cholesterol for your blood and help you avoid heart attack and stroke. Research show say melons, in general, dey good for you, but we need more studies to understand how watermelon specifically affects your body.
