Soonto Aways Moalim, a 32-year-old mother of five, faced overwhelming difficulties in her village due to limited income and food scarcity. Their youngest daughter, 16-month-old Suldano Abdullahi Madobe, suffered from severe malnutrition, adding to their burden. However, a chance encounter with Fardowso Mohamed Ibrahim, a Community Health Worker, led Soonto to Bayhaaw Hospital, where they joined the Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) run by Action Against Hunger. He daughter was getting sick for two weeks now.
“When the children are sick, the mother also becomes ill. We did not have the resources to even travel to hospitals to see the doctors,” she said. “We work to earn what we consume for that day, so it is difficult for us to go to private hospitals, and we were worried about the health of our children,” she added.
Arriving at the facility on July 21st, Soonto’s daughter was alarmingly underweight at 6.8 kilograms with a Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) of 11.2cm. Under the guidance of Nutrition Nurse Adan Moalim Abdinur, Soonto diligently followed the instructions, leading to significant progress in Suldano’s recovery.
The Al-Thani Foundation provided vital supplies, including ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), while EU Humanitarian Aid funded staff that provided support which played a crucial role in combating the malnutrition crisis.
With each passing day, Suldano’s health improved remarkably, bringing immense joy to Soonto and her family. After four weeks of dedicated participation in the OTP program, Suldano reached a significant milestone and was discharged. Despite the financial constraints faced during treatment, Soonto and her family plan to return to their village and resume farming activities once the autumn rains arrive.
“We need to plan ahead and anticipate such situations. Without financial resources, everything, including food and medication, requires money,” she noted.
Soonto’s story reflects the larger struggle against malnutrition in Somalia, with approximately 1.8 million children under the age of five enduring acute malnutrition. Baidoa, a major city in Southwestern Somalia hosting thousands of internally displaced families, has been particularly affected by drought and high malnutrition rates.
Action Against Hunger, supported by donors like the Al-Thani Foundation, EU Humanitarian Aid plays a crucial role in providing life-saving interventions in the drought and affected areas.
In Somalia, the struggle against malnutrition encompasses countless stories like Soonto’s. Among them, an estimated 477,700 children are severely malnourished. Soonto Aways Moalim’s challenges are emblematic of the struggles faced by mothers and families amid overwhelming circumstances. This highlights the critical role that humanitarian organizations play in addressing malnutrition and providing support to vulnerable communities impacted by disasters caused by climate change.
