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Patiente Ngangu, MSF nurse
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More than 232 million children around the world last year suffered from malnutrition. It is the underlying contributing factor in nearly half of the deaths of children under five years of age.

Malnutrition can lead to a weakened immune system meaning children are more vulnerable to disease. These diseases can lead to further malnutrition, creating a vicious cycle of malnutrition and disease.

MSF first introduced specific therapeutic foods to treat malnutrition on a large scale as long ago as 2005, which has been widely used since; but access to specific and necessary nutrition remains one of the major challenges in reducing child mortality, especially in conflict-affected countries, where they are most vulnerable.

In 2022

Quick facts about malnutrition

 
Bay Regional Hospital, Baidoa, Somalia
Somalia

Drought intensifies health crises across Somalia and Somaliland

Project Update 7 Jun 2022
 
Illeret ward water sources
Kenya

Malnutrition remains high as drought continues in Kenya

Project Update 20 May 2022
 
STILLS - Lucky to be alive (La peur au ventre)
Nigeria

Amid hunger, people are “lucky to be alive” in northwest Nigeria

Documentary 15 Feb 2022
 
Niger - Magaria Paediatric Unit
Niger

Working with the community to counter malaria and malnutrition

Project Update 3 Feb 2022
 
Children sit outside their tent
Yemen

Thousands desperate for food, water and shelter in conflict-hit Marib

Project Update 27 Jan 2022
 
Cattle
Chad

“If the rain abandons us again, we don’t know what we will do”

Project Update 6 Jan 2022
 
Pediatric healthcare in Abs Hospital
Yemen

Alarming numbers of Yemeni children suffering from malnutrition

Project Update 16 Dec 2021
 
Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC) at Herat Regional Hospital
Afghanistan

Malnutrition soars in Herat as healthcare reaches breaking point

Interview 10 Nov 2021
 
Mobile clinic in Ranobe
Madagascar

Emergency aid in Madagascar prevented as medical staff are denied access

Press Release 12 Aug 2021
fieldresearch.msf.org

We produce important research based on our field experience. So far, we have published articles in over 100 peer-reviewed journals. These articles have often changed clinical practice and have been used for humanitarian advocacy. Read all our Malnutrition-related articles on our dedicated Field Research website.

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Nutrition centres in Maiduguri