Nigeria has surpassed conflict-ridden Sudan to become the African country with the highest number of malnourished children and now ranks second globally in child malnutrition.
A UNICEF official revealed this during a briefing on the upcoming lean season, stating that 600,000 Nigerian children are currently suffering from acute malnutrition. Half of these children are at risk of progressing to severe acute malnutrition, putting their lives in danger.
An official from the World Food Programme also confirmed that Nigeria has the largest population of food-insecure people on the continent.
The revelation comes amid a growing humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s North-East, where the United Nations is appealing for $300 million to address critical needs, including food insecurity, nutrition, water, and sanitation. Of this amount, $160 million is urgently required to tackle the worsening situation.
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The UN noted a troubling paradox: while the need for aid has doubled, available resources have decreased. The agency aims to reach two million people affected by these overlapping crises.
In a broader economic outlook, a recent report revealed that Nigeria is home to 19 percent of the extremely poor population in Sub-Saharan Africa. The country is followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Sudan.
The report also projected a bleak future for Nigeria, warning that more citizens will fall into poverty by 2027.