Ismails life in Eritrea, has been saved thanks to UNHCRs Nutrition Progamme

Umkulu Camp, Eritrea April 29, 2013 (UNHCR) One-and-a-half-year-old Ismail Mohammad may look like any other little boy, but he is very lucky to be alive. A few months ago he suffered from severe malnutrition before he was admitted to Community Based Therapeutic Feeding Programme (CBTF) run by UNHCR and its implementing partner Office for Refugee Affairs (ORA) in the camp. He had diarrhea, vomiting, breathing problems, and fever, said his mother, Mariam Hassan, 24. I had to rush him to the camp clinic. After an initial medical examination, the doctor diagnosed clinical signs of severe acute malnutrition and quickly transferred him to the Massawa Hospital where he was given intensive treatment for a period of three weeks, Mariam said, I could see my baby getting better every day more After this period, he was moved back to the Umkulu Camp clinic where he continued to be cared in the CBTF Program. Plumpy Nut (a ready-to-use therapeutic food) and protein were given to Ismail until he arrived at the normal target weight for his age. Now, Mariam receives

Ismail and Mariam in the Umkul Camp clinc

20 packets of Plumpy Nut (four times a month) and eight kilograms of Corn Soya Blend (CSB++) for Ismail, to ensure he remains healthy. These services are of vital importance for the mothers and children in the camp. UNHCR, in collaboration with ORA and with a financial contribution from CERF, provides CBTF services to children, lactating and pregnant women to prevent and manage acute malnutrition, and Mariam and Ismail are both examples of the effectiveness of the current program. Ismail`s mother, Mariam was 7 years old when she left her hometown Luuq, Somalia in 1996 and arrived with her family at the Umkulu Refugee Camp located near the port city of Massawa in the Northern Red Sea Region. Although she was very young at the time she left, her memories of that period of her life are very clear, The situation in Somalia was very hard, no peace, and so Mariams mother decided to escape. Her face became sad while looking at her only son, Ismail, who was still recovering from the recently treated bout of malnutrition with complications. His family is convinced that his recovery, aided by the prompt attention of the camp facility, is a miracle.

Mariam and Mohammad, who met here in Umkulu Camp, are both very proud and protective of their family, and both feel apprehensive more now than ever about their childs health

UNHCR Office in Eritrea Campo Polo Area, Meteten St. 1A754 House no.35, P.O.Box 1995, Asmara, Eritrea