Helping children survive the crisis in Nigeria

Boko Haram, the world's deadliest terror group, has largely been driven out of Maiduguri, a sprawling city in northeastern Nigeria. People terrorized in surrounding villages have sought refuge and safety here. Boko Haram has destroyed their homes, their livelihoods. There are no schools. There are no health centers. There is no food. Photo: Kellie Ryan/IRC

Many Nigerians displaced because of the war against Boko Haram are living in makeshift shelters or staying with other families in and around the city of Maiduguri. Locals have welcomed those fleeing the fighting with open arms, and share what little they have. Photo: Juliette Delay/IRC

Aisha left everything behind when she fled as Boko Haram attacked her village in Bama. She now shares a small room in Maiduguri with her 12-year-old son Usmain. “What’s next is you live life in patience,” she said. Photo: Juliette Delay/IRC

Most displaced families like Aisha's are living within host communities rather than official camps. The IRC sends mobile clinics to reach them with vital health care. Here, women and children wait for their turn to be examined at an IRC-run clinic in Maiduguri. Photo: Juliette Delay/IRC

As Nigeria grapples with a near-famine, over 2 million children are suffering with severe acute malnutrition. Here, a baby is weighed by trained local volunteers at an IRC-run mobile clinic in Maiduguri, one of the steps in identifying cases of severe acute malnutrition. Photo: Juliette Delay/IRC

A mother and baby wait their turn for an arm-band test, used to identify signs of severe acute malnutrition in children. The most serious cases are referred to the IRC malnutrition stabilization center in Maiduguri, where over 80% of patients under 5 recover.  Photo: Juliette Delay/IRC

Famata's baby daughter, also named Famata, was referred to the malnutrition stabilization center by IRC staff when her weight started falling. The nine month old was severely malnourished when she came in to the center for treatment. Photo: Kellie Ryan/IRC

A little girl hides behind her mother’s skirt as she waits for her sister to be screened for severe acute malnutrition at a mobile health clinic. Over 5 million people in northeastern Nigeria struggle to get enough nutritious food. Photo: Juliette Delay/IRC

Malnutrition is far from the only cause of suffering for children in northeastern Nigeria. Many children are traumatized after having witnessed horrors of the war. The IRC runs "safe spaces" in Maiduguri for them, places where they can go every afternoon to learn and play again, and start to heal. Photo: Juliette Delay/IRC

The IRC, with our partner Creative, also runs education programs for children affected by the crisis, using techniques proven to reverse the effects of trauma and help children get back to learning. Photo: Juliette Delay/IRC

Half of the 1.8 million people displaced by the war against Boko Haram in Nigeria are children. Health programs to prevent severe acute malnutrition, as well as safe spaces like this one in Maiduguri, are vital to help children survive and thrive as the crisis continues. Photo: Kellie Ryan/IRC