MSF reports that throughout the past six months, at least 652 children in Nigeria have died from starvation

Mèdecìns Sans Frontières reported Friday that at least 652 children in the Nigerian state of Katsina perished from starvation in the first half of 2025, a result it attributed to reductions in foreign donor funding.

Insecurity is a problem in Katsina, which is in the country’s north.

“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, which is also known as Doctors Without Borders.

The United Nations food agency announced Wednesday that due to dwindling supplies, it will have to halt food and nutrition assistance for 1.3 million people in the northeastern region of Nigeria, which is ravaged by insurgency, by the end of July.

Nigeria has set aside 200 billion naira ($130 million) this year to make up for the gap caused by the United States’ decision to stop subsidizing the health sector.

According to MSF, “unfortunately 652 children have already died in our facilities since the beginning of 2025” and the number of children in Katsina suffering from the most severe type of malnutrition has increased by almost 208% this year compared to the same period last year.

In Katsina, where instability has forced many people to flee their fields, banditry is rampant.

Banditry has been difficult to control by the government and local citizen vigilante groups.