Mothers and children on the frontline of the food crisis
By By Kathryn Richards, 20 July 2010
Hasana and Meimouna are mothers on the frontline of the food crisis facing more than seven million people in Niger. They walked 8km from their village of Ratta in 40 degree heat to take their babies to the Goumbi Kano health clinic, Tahoua region.
Mother of four Hasana only wants the best for her daughter, ten-month old Farida. But there is a problem: “I have no milk for her. When she cries, I give her millet mixed with water and milk, but it does not have the nourishment she needs.”
Farida, was admitted to the clinic on June 25. She was treated for severe malnutrition and is gaining weight after a course of anti-malarials, anti-biotics and plumpy nut supplement. Still, Farida was tired and weak, barely able to lift her head to cry when placed into the weighing sling, hung from a nearby tree.
Seventeen month old Saredja hardly looked a day old than baby Farida, despite been seven moths her elder. He was just 6kg when admitted to the clinic and though gaining weight he still short of the 7.5kg target. His mother, Meimouna, has not been able to come the clinic for regular weight and height checks.
She said: “We are farmers, but this year our production was really down – there is nothing left in our store. We will stay farming, and hope for a better harvest so our children get well.”
Farida waits with her mother Hasana
CARE/Kathryn Richards
Doctor Mustapha Chaibou mans this isolated health clinic, jointly funded by CARE International and the Government of Niger. He studied medicine in Niger, and this is his third year at the clinic. Doctor Chaibou says he sees an average of 20 people a day – mostly malnourished children. He is open seven days a week, there are no weekends.
“These children were seriously malnourished, but if the mothers come regularly for treatment then their prognosis is good, they will be out of danger.
The catchment area for this clinic is 15 km – that is supposed to be the maximum distance people travel according to the government, but in reality people come from much further, at least 20km.
Doctor Chaibou knows the impact of the food crisis on children’s lives, he sees it everyday and he has a stark warning if the rains continue not to come:
“In the Sahel, even when the rains are good there are many malnourished children. Without the rains, it is a catastrophe. I am sorry.”
Help CARE respond to baby Farida, and the 400,000 children in her position, donate to the CARE Niger Food Crisis Appeal.
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