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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

 
Malnutrition Crisis - CAR
Central African Republic

With improved access, malaria and malnutrition cases sharply rise in Bossangoa

Project Update 12 Oct 2018
 
Niger - Magaria Paediatric Unit
Niger

One of the world’s biggest paediatric intensive care units is full

Press Release 25 Sep 2018
 
Emergency nutrition program in N’Djamena
Chad

Treating severely malnourished children in N’Djamena

Project Update 10 Aug 2018
 
MSF IN CHAD: TACKLING MALNUTRITION IN AM TIMAN
Chad

MSF opens emergency nutrition programme in N’Djamena

Press Release 27 Jul 2018
 
MSF IN CHAD: TACKLING MALNUTRITION IN AM TIMAN
Chad

Tackling malnutrition in Am Timan

Project Update 17 Jul 2018
 
Guinea-Bissau. New healthcare project for children in Bafata
Guinea-Bissau

Medical knowledge that outlasts MSF project

Voices from the Field 18 Jun 2018
 
MSF Medical Action - Rohingya Crisis
Rohingya refugee crisis

“This is still a population teetering on the edge.”

Voices from the Field 6 Dec 2017
 
Fatima and her son. Kilo, southern Ibb governorate
Yemen

“There is food in the shops but no money to buy it”

Voices from the Field 6 Dec 2017
 
Nigeria: Searching for aid after fleeing the fighting
Nigeria

Borno State crisis update – November 2017

Crisis Update 30 Nov 2017
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