Awo's Journey: Overcoming Malnutrition Through Candlelight Support
Awo's Journey: Overcoming Malnutrition Through Candlelight Support
Introduction As highlighted in the Humanitarian Action for Children 2024 – Somalia and Somaliland report, the nutritional status of 1.5 million children under the age of 5 continues to be a cause for concern, with acute wasting anticipated to persist until July 2024. The French Embassy, in collaboration with Acted, provided support for one-year project named "Nourishing Communities: Restoring Resilience Through Enhanced Food and Nutrition Security for Vulnerable Rural and Displaced Crisis-Affected Communities in Somaliland." This project was designed to tackle critical issues such as nutrition and health among others. It is being executed by Acted, Candlelight, and BVO across eighteen locations (comprising nine IDP sites and nine villages) within the Burao, Aynabo, and Lasanood districts As part of this initiative, Candlelight implemented the Nutrition and Health component to combat malnutrition among vulnerable populations. This involved screening and treating Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) and Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM) children under 5 years of age, as well as Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW). Awo’s Success Story Awo Bile Isahaq, a 25 years old woman, live in Qoyta village with her husband and two children, where their livelihood depends on her husband's daily casual work income. Awo’s two children faced health challenges due to malnutrition for a while. Then, Candlelight arrived in Qoyta, and Awo Bile was informed that they were providing medical care and nutrition for the children. She brought her children to the Candlelight mobile team, who were conducting screenings in the village. Unfortunately, both of Awo's children were identified with malnutrition during the screening. “My two children had been feeling unwell for a while, and I was unsure of the cause of their illness” Awo said Candlelight recognized that one of my children required urgent treatment beyond their capabilities, so they facilitated a referral to Burao General Hospital and covered all expenses associated with the treatment. Meanwhile, they also started treating the other child by providing essential nutritional supplements and medical drugs, including Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) for Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). “Candlelight informed us that one of my children required urgent treatment that was beyond their capabilities. However, we lacked the financial means to afford hospital care. Fortunately, Candlelight facilitated the referral to the hospital and covered all expenses.” Awo described Recently, Awo Bile was able to bring her hospitalized child back home, fully recovered and feeling much better. He has regained his strength, resumed physical activities, and his appetite has returned to normal. Additionally, the other child is also recovering well and feeling great, but is still continuing with the nutritional supplements. “Now, my child who was hospitalized is back home, fully recovered and feeling much better. He has regained his strength, resumed physical activities, and his appetite has returned to normal”. Awo Bile said Awo deeply appreciated the Candlelight staff for their exceptional care and assistance during this challenging time. This intervention has made a significant difference not only for her family but also for the entire community.