Maryam Aminu struggles to feed her daughter Farisa as the Iran war drives up food prices and malnutrition in northern Nigeria.
Maryam Aminu reports that her daughter, Farisa, has relapsed into malnutrition for a second time due to rising economic pressures in northwestern Nigeria. The family's hardship was exacerbated after her husband, Shehu Aminu, lost his job as a taxi driver following a significant spike in petrol prices caused by the war in Iran. The conflict in the Middle East has created a global fuel shock, driving up the costs of groceries and necessities. In Nigeria, fuel prices nearly doubled between February and April, making it difficult for families to maintain consistent nutrition. Health workers, including Halimah Muhammad, note that children are increasingly returning to clinics after falling back into malnutrition. UNICEF warns that the ongoing war could push an additional 23.4 million children into monetary poverty by the end of the year. While President Trump has worked to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to stabilize oil flow, the long-term consequences for children in poor households include stunted development and reduced school attendance.