At Action Against Hunger’s health centres in Yemen, parents dream of a better future for their children. They dream of their children having enough to eat, going to school, living in a safe and secure environment.
But for many parents in Yemen, these dreams are just that: dreams. The country has been ravaged by war for more than eight years, creating a devastating humanitarian crisis.
Millions of people have been displaced from their homes, and millions more are struggling to survive. And children are particularly vulnerable.
Ahood is too young to remember life before war, but her mother does. They had jobs, food, and access to healthcare and education. But the war changed everything.
“Our situation was very difficult because of the war and also as a result of the collapsing of the health services and education.”
Now, Ahood’s father is unemployed and her mother struggles to make ends meet. The family often goes to bed hungry.
Ahood was malnourished. She was too weak to play and often got sick.
A health worker examining Ahood for malnutrition. Photo credit: Action Against Hunger
One day, Ahood’s parents heard about a health centre supported by Action Against Hunger. They took Ahood to the centre, where she was diagnosed with malnutrition. Action Against Hunger’s health workers gave Ahood with the care she needed. They also provided her family hygiene kits and mosquito nets.
Her parents are grateful for the help they’ve received. But they still wish for a better future where they’re able to provide enough healthy, nutritious food and a decent life for their family.
“If the war stops, everything will be provided for our children”
Stories like Ahood’s are far too common. Children across the country struggle every day to survive severe food insecurity. One-year-old Zakia was born into a peaceful and happy family, but her life was turned upside down by the war.
Zakia in the arms of his father surrounded by his siblings. Photo credit: Action Against Hunger
Before the war, Zakia’s father was a farmer, allowing him to get money and food so he could provide for his family.
“When the war started and the effects of bombing reached our village, we left everything and we tried to rescue ourselves. We didn’t know where we could find a safe place.”
The war forced Zakia’s family to flee their home and seek refuge in a camp. They lost everything they owned and struggled to find food and water. Zakia’s father was unable to find work, and the family was forced to rely on humanitarian aid to survive.
When they were running low on food, they would cut back on meals. Sometimes, the family would go to sleep hungry.
One day, Zakia became sick. Her father was desperate to save her, but he did not have the money to take her to a hospital.
“There is no health unit near our village and we do not have money to travel to a hospital with our sick children. Therefore, we used to stand sorrowful unable to do anything.”
He learned of a new health facility opened by Action Against Hunger, and took his little girl there, where she was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition – the most life-threatening form of hunger. But thanks to our support, she received the care she needed, and was soon on the road to recovery.
Zakia’s story is a reminder of the devastating impact that the war in Yemen is having on children. Millions of children are suffering from malnutrition and at risk of death.
Action Against Hunger is providing life-saving healthcare to children like Zakia. We’re also working to provide food, water, and shelter to the millions of people who are affected by the war.
We’re determined to help people in Yemen survive this crisis and build a better future.
