In northeastern Nigeria, climate change and ongoing armed conflict have led to a significant rise in malnutrition cases, especially among children. The ICRC reports a 24 percent increase in malnutrition cases in young children from the previous year. This crisis is exacerbated by displacement, disrupted livelihoods, and a reliance on subsistence farming, amidst escalating violence and climatic challenges. Over six million people in the Lake Chad region are projected to face food shortages in the coming months.
The compounded effects of climate change and ongoing armed conflict in northeastern Nigeria have led to a significant surge in severe malnutrition cases. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed concern regarding the alarming trend, particularly for families residing in the Lake Chad region, who are increasingly struggling to secure adequate food supplies. Reports from clinics indicate a staggering 24 percent increase in malnutrition cases among young children compared to the previous year. One poignant account comes from Rabiatu Jubrilla, who recounted the harrowing experience of bringing her son to the ICRC’s stabilization clinic in Mubi. She stated, “He was healthy when I delivered him, but at 1 year 9 months old, I stopped breastfeeding him. He began to lose weight, and we thought it was because he was not able to get breast milk.” The protracted conflict has emerged as a primary catalyst of this worsening food crisis, displacing millions and disrupting livelihoods significantly. Farmers like Paul Ezra from Madagali village illustrate the dire situation; he lamented, “We don’t have enough farmland. Before, we used to go out in the fields to farm. But now, Boko Haram and other armed groups have taken over the bush.” The intensity of violence in the region has escalated, with ICRC’s Nigeria Head of Delegation, Yann Bonzon, noting, “This rise in the number of people without enough food mirrors an increase in violence, which has severely impacted communities’ ability to grow crops and access market.” Indeed, reports indicate a staggering 58 percent increase in conflict incidents in the Lake Chad area during the first half of 2024. Moreover, the region’s over-reliance on subsistence farming exacerbates its vulnerability to climate-related challenges, such as unpredictable rainfall patterns. The current year has witnessed catastrophic floods that obliterated seeds and dashed hopes for successful harvests following an already arid lean season. Farmer Abubakar Bello Duhu emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “We have people who fainted and are at the hospital. Others have died because there is not enough to eat.” The ICRC projects that over six million individuals in the Lake Chad region are likely to face severe food shortages in the upcoming months, attributing this crisis to the intersection of armed conflict and the dire consequences of climate change.
The situation in northeastern Nigeria has become increasingly precarious due to multiple factors, particularly climate change and persistent armed conflict. The Lake Chad region has been severely impacted, with a rise in conflict leading to displacement and disruption of agricultural practices. The reliance on subsistence farming makes local communities particularly sensitive to environmental changes, such as erratic rainfall and flooding. The interplay between these factors has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, marked by escalating malnutrition rates among vulnerable populations, particularly children.
The alarming increase in malnutrition rates in Nigeria’s Lake Chad region can be directly attributed to the dual pressures of climate change and ongoing armed conflict. As violence escalates and agricultural lands become inaccessible, families are struggling to secure sufficient food. The projected food shortages by the ICRC highlight an urgent need for intervention to address the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by both environmental and social challenges.
Original Source: www.africanews.com
