WHO Yemen: The power of resilience: Yemeni families overcoming challenges against all odds

Ahmed Abdel-Jabbar, a five-month-old baby, was admitted to Al-Sadaqa Hospital in Aden, Yemen yesterday, lethargic and suffering from severe diarrhea.

His mother, Fawzia Jamal, 30, has four children, and Ahmed is the youngest. Her husband washes cars to earn a living, but his work is inconsistent. The family's income is unpredictable, and they struggle to make ends meet.

"For us, every day is a struggle. It's challenging to make plans since we never know how much money we'll have from one day to the next. We are often unable to pay our rent on time because it is a substantial burden for us. From food and clothing to medical care and education, we need so much for our kids. As a mother, I worry about it often and wish I could do more to support them,” Fawzia said.

Despite their financial difficulties, Fawzia is determined to do everything she can to keep her family healthy. When Ahmed fell ill, she brought him to Al-Sadaqa Hospital, where he received free medical care and treatment.

At WHO-supported Therapeutic Feeding Centres across the country, WHO is helping families afflicted by malnutrition by supplying vital health resources and support, providing a lifeline to those who are most in need. Malnourished children are provided with free nutrition and medical care, and mothers are given guidance and advice on how to ensure their children are well-nourished even with minimal resources.

"We are committed to helping children and families impacted by malnutrition in Yemen,” said Dr. Athmar Al-Sakkaf head of the Therapeutic Feeding Centres at Al-Sadaqa Hospital. “We are members of our community, working to improve the lives of Yemeni families, and our team of skilled healthcare professionals is committed to offering life-saving treatment to millions of children like Ahmed who need our help to survive and thrive.”

Fawzia is grateful to the doctors in Al-Sadaqa Hospital for their assistance and care for her child.

"All I want is for my little Ahmed to be safe and healthy. He's so young and has already been through so much. I hope he heals quickly and returns to being the cheerful, energetic baby he always was. As a mother, it breaks my heart to see him so ill, but I am grateful for the assistance we have received here. I'm not sure what we'd do without them. I just want my baby to be okay, and I'll go to any length to ensure he has the care he needs," Fawzia said.

Story and photos: Nesma Khan WHO Yemen