Nigerian Children Suffer as Iran War Escalates

In northern Nigeria, health workers are witnessing a disturbing trend: more children are relapsing into malnutrition due to the economic hardships caused by the Iran war. The conflict has sent shockwaves across the globe, driving up fuel prices and crippling food security for millions of people living in poverty.

Maryam Aminu, a mother of six, knows the devastating consequences of the war firsthand. Her 18-month-old daughter was diagnosed with malnutrition for the second time in April, a diagnosis that Maryam suspected but was sad and angry to confirm. The family’s economic struggles began when her husband, Shehu Aminu, lost his job as a taxi driver due to the spike in fuel prices caused by the war.

According to local health and aid workers, the Iran war has exacerbated the poverty and malnutrition crisis in northern Nigeria. The region, already one of the world’s poorest, is under pressure from an insurgency crisis and struggling to access basic necessities like food and healthcare. The conflict has worsened food security for millions of people, especially children, who are more likely to be stunted in the long term due to economic hardship.

Consequences of the War

• The war has sent fuel prices soaring, from 800 naira ($0.58) per liter in February to 1,400 naira ($1.02) in April.
• The increased fuel prices have led to a ripple effect, driving up the prices of food and necessities.
• The conflict has also affected fertilizer supplies and prices, threatening the planting season and worsening the fate of mostly farming communities in northern Nigeria.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned that if the war continues, up to 23.4 million additional children could fall into monetary poverty by the end of the year, with at least 80% in Africa and Asia. The longer the conflict continues, the worse the consequences will be.

For families like Maryam’s, the economic hardship has been devastating. ‘I wake up every morning unhappy, seeing I can no longer provide for my family,’ said Shehu Aminu. ‘There is no way to feed the children.’

Aid Workers Concerned

Health workers in northern Nigeria are worried about the increasing numbers of children relapsing into malnutrition. ‘I am worried and sometimes angry about the increasing numbers we are seeing,’ said health worker Halimah Muhammad. ‘The long-term implications for children are absolutely terrible.’

UNICEF’s Russell emphasized the need for urgent action to address the crisis. ‘Children are paying the price for the escalating conflict in the Middle East, including children far beyond the region. The longer this continues, the worse the consequences will be.’