National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Alimi Micheal, KWARA |
Borno State is grappling with severe malnutrition crisis as families and breastfeeding mothers face escalating hunger.
Residents and healthcare workers are raising alarms over the sharp rise in child malnutrition, exacerbated by the ongoing threat of Boko Haram insurgents.
Many northern Borno communities, including Marte, Kukawa, Abadam, Guzamala, Kaga, Mobbar, and Gubio, now rely heavily on humanitarian aid.
The persistent insecurity has led to widespread hunger, with locals expressing deep concerns.
Musty Ba’nna, a resident of a temporary camp in Dikwa, fled New Marte with his family due to insurgent activity.
He described the dire situation, saying, “Life is increasingly difficult for us. Originally from Kereno in Marte, we can’t return due to the insurgency.
“We fled New Marte last month and are struggling daily to find food. Our children are suffering and dying from hunger.”
Bukar Modu from Maiduguri shared a similar plight, noting that ongoing terrorist attacks have compounded their struggles.
He explained that residents have resorted to cutting down trees for firewood and charcoal sales, but this livelihood is also threatened by violence along the Maiduguri/Damboa highway.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported a troubling rise in malnutrition cases, surpassing last year’s numbers.
The organisation has rapidly expanded its capacity to manage the influx of patients, treating 1,594 children for malnutrition in June alone.
They have added 40 beds to their intensive care unit to accommodate the increasing number of critically ill patients.
As of August 4th, the facility was overwhelmed with 432 patients, far exceeding its 200-bed capacity.
Despite MSF’s efforts and collaboration with the Ministry of Health to scale up their response, funding remains inadequate.
Ahmed Shehu, Co-chairman of the Borno State Accountability Mechanism (BOSAM), urged the government to prioritise initiatives that protect children’s well-being and combat food insecurity.
“Malnutrition is a serious issue exacerbated by economic hardship. Parents and families are struggling, and the government must prioritise programmes to ensure their welfare.
“Addressing food insecurity is crucial for both children and adults alike,” Shehu emphasised
