According to UNICEF, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen are at severe risk of famine, with nearly 1.4 million children at risk of death from severe malnutrition. In northeast Nigeria alone, acute malnutrition is expected to affect 450,000 children this year in the states of Adamawa, Yobi, and Borno, all of which are plagued by conflict. The number of children affected in Somalia could rise to 270,000 over the next few months, as a result of drought and decades of conflict.
In South Sudan, which is facing poverty and conflict, some 270,000 children are already severely malnourished, and the number of people facing food insecurity could increase from 4.9 million to 5.5 million during the lean season in July. Lastly, as a result of two years of conflict, Yemen has 462,000 children with severe acute malnutrition, which represents almost a 200 percent rise since 2014.
UNICEF is collaborating with local partners to reach these children and provide them with much-needed therapeutic treatment for malnourishment.