Reduced financial support raises concerns over increasing hunger and spread of illnesses

Médecins Sans Frontières has sounded the alarm on the devastating impact of dwindling humanitarian funding on Nigeria's already precarious healthcare system, as the country grapples with escalating malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and maternal health emergencies that are overwhelming vulnerable communities nationwide.

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The organization's 2025 Country Activity Report, released on Wednesday, paints a grim picture of the current health situation, which is being exacerbated by deepening economic hardship, insecurity, and mounting pressure on overstretched medical services.

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According to the report, a staggering 440,000 children were treated for malnutrition in 2025, marking the highest number of malnutrition admissions recorded by Médecins Sans Frontières in Nigeria in recent years.

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Breakdown of the figures reveals that 353,989 children received treatment for severe acute malnutrition through outpatient programs, while 90,723 children with acute malnutrition and medical complications were admitted to stabilization centers.

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MSF Country Representative in Nigeria, Ahmed Aldikhari, attributes the worsening crisis to declining humanitarian support and deteriorating living conditions that are affecting millions of families.

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Aldikhari noted that the 2025 data presents a disturbing picture, with over 440,000 children requiring treatment for malnutrition, making it the year with the highest admissions for malnutrition in Nigeria in recent years.

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He emphasized that conflict, insecurity, displacement, inflation, flooding, drought, and rising food prices are all taking a toll on families' ability to access food and healthcare, further exacerbating the crisis.

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Aldikhari also highlighted that humanitarian funding cuts are increasing pressure on already overstretched services in high-need areas, underscoring the need for urgent action to address the crisis.

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Médecins Sans Frontières has been operating in Nigeria since 1996, responding to disease outbreaks, malnutrition, maternal health emergencies, conflict-related crises, and natural disasters.

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In 2025, the organization ran medical projects in 10 states, including Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, while also expanding operations into Kaduna State.

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Emergency interventions were also carried out in Adamawa and Niger states, as part of the organization's efforts to respond to the growing humanitarian needs in the country.

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The report notes that northern Nigeria is facing a worsening nutrition crisis, driven by insecurity, displacement, and economic hardship, with children bearing the brunt of food shortages and poor healthcare access.

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Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that funding shortages are undermining emergency operations in Nigeria, particularly in the conflict-affected North-East, where millions depend on aid for food, healthcare, and shelter.

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The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has raised concerns over widening funding gaps affecting nutrition support, emergency healthcare, water, and sanitation services in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

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Aid groups have also warned that donor fatigue, competing global crises, and shrinking international humanitarian budgets are reducing available support for countries like Nigeria, despite worsening needs caused by insecurity, inflation, and climate-related disasters.

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The funding pressures come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with severe economic challenges, including fuel subsidy removal, rising inflation, and currency depreciation, which have significantly increased the cost of food, medicines, and humanitarian operations.

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Recent food security assessments by international agencies have found that millions of Nigerians are facing acute food insecurity, while humanitarian organizations have warned that reduced funding could lead to cuts in nutrition programs, vaccination campaigns, and emergency medical interventions.

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Beyond malnutrition, Médecins Sans Frontières has warned that recurring disease outbreaks are further stretching fragile health systems, with the organization's teams treating 341,239 malaria patients, 38,753 measles cases, 6,123 diphtheria cases, and 985 meningitis patients across MSF-supported facilities in 2025.

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Aldikhari stressed that many of the illnesses affecting vulnerable communities are preventable with stronger healthcare investments and improved public health systems.

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He emphasized that strengthening vaccination coverage, water and sanitation systems, disease surveillance, and access to timely treatment remains critical to preventing these illnesses.

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Nigeria has battled repeated outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria, measles, and meningitis in recent years, particularly in states with weak immunization coverage and inadequate sanitation infrastructure.

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Médecins Sans Frontières has also highlighted the country's persistent maternal health crisis, noting that women in rural and conflict-affected communities still face major barriers to accessing emergency healthcare.

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According to the report, the organization assisted 33,590 deliveries, conducted 119,469 antenatal consultations, and carried out 224 fistula surgeries in 2025.

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The report notes that MSF teams frequently received women suffering severe complications caused by delayed access to care, including obstructed labor, severe bleeding, infections, and eclampsia.

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Aldikhari called for urgent investments in emergency maternal healthcare and stronger primary healthcare systems, emphasizing that timely access to emergency obstetric and newborn care can save lives.

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He stated that there is an urgent need for stronger investment in primary healthcare, referral systems, staffing, equipment, and emergency maternal services, especially in underserved areas.

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Nigeria accounts for one of the highest maternal mortality burdens globally, with healthcare experts attributing many preventable deaths to poor access to skilled birth attendants, weak referral systems, poverty, and underfunded health facilities.