War, hunger, and now aid cuts: Nigeria’s malnourished children surviving on hope
Hamsatu Isa was barely 20 years old when Boko Haram captured Gwoza, Borno state, north-east Nigeria, and declared the community their caliphate. It was a bloodbath, a massacre still etched in her memory as though it were yesterday. The once peaceful and thriving town fell to its knees at dawn in August 2014. Hundreds of residents were killed, many fled, houses were torched, and young girls were abducted.
While some men disguised themselves as women to escape Gwoza, Hamsatu’s father was not so fortunate and could not escape with his family. He was gunned down. Hamsatu, her siblings, and mother joined a group of people fleeing the community. They trekked a long distance, first to Madagali town in neighbouring Adamawa state, before they finally found their way to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
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Cc: @pulitzercenter, @Fmohnigeria