Integrated health and nutrition in rural areas

Yemen | 2024 | YHF

Yemen, Abyan governorate. Aisha was worried about her son. He was malnourished but she didn’t know where she could get the treatment and medication he needed, or if she could even afford such treatment.

Malnutrition among mothers and children remains a major public health crisis in Yemen, especially in rural areas. Mothers and children lack access to specialized care and medical supplies; or, if clinics are available, their services are too expensive for poor people.

Around 5 million children under five and 2.7 million pregnant and lactating women needed nutrition assistance in 2024.

CARE and the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF) scaled up the integrated health response in Khanfar District, Abyan Governorate, to reach more women and children with essential information and care.

Community outreach workers found Aisha and her son, and let her know about the free treatment available at a nearby health centre.

“They immediately gave my son special food to help him,” says Aisha. Her son recovered, and she continues to get regular check-ups to make sure he’s doing well.

Health centres in Al-Kood and Kadamat Alsaid Qassem received much-needed equipment and medicines. The project also mobilized a mobile clinic and trained community health volunteers in awareness raising and outreach – like those who located Aisha and connected her to help.

Sana, who works as a nurse in Kadamat Alsaid Qassem Health Centre, loves her work helping mothers like Aisha. “It’s heartwarming to accompany young children and their parents on their journey to recovery. Nothing makes me prouder than to see a young child defeat malnutrition,” she adds.

More information from the Yemen Humanitarian Fund.

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