By Meagan Patroni
One of the strongest El Niño cycles in recorded history has caused drought and flooding around the world. In Ethiopia successive crop failures due to drought, have forced more than 10 million people into a food crisis. For some, what seed was saved to be planted had to be eaten.
Even as rain finally arrives in Ethiopia, allowing seed to be sewn, the situation is bleak. Everyone is hoping, holding on, that it’s enough to create a harvest in October to get through the lean season.
In this strikingly beautiful mountainous region in Eastern Ethiopia I am at a CARE distribution centre. The natural splendour of the area is in contrast with the horror families are facing in light of their crops failing. Here, within a fenced off yard I speak with 60-year-old grandmother Kediya Shekeleh. While more than a hundred people sit outside the gates, patiently awaiting their turn, Kediya collects her monthly ration of 1.4 kg of split peas, 15kg of wheat and 0.45kg of oil. She tells me the recent drought has been the worst she has experienced in her lifetime.
Kediya knows hardship. Of the eight children she gave birth to, only two survived. Her eldest child, her 40-year-old son, has eight children to look after and struggles to provide food for her also. After harvests failed he was not able to provide enough for the family, so she is here today with other family members. They collect supplies that must see them through until May.
“It has been the worst hungry time I have faced. Even my children are having difficulty at this time,” she says.
At this particular warehouse, CARE distributes essential food items to 1,000 people per day. CARE is reaching 33,000 people per month in Oromiya, where families have been severely affected by drought and the resulting food crisis.
A major focus for CARE has been ensuring mothers receive enough so they can nourish their children.
At a CARE distribution centre in Oromiya, East Haraghe, 60 year old grandmother Kediya Shekeleh collects her monthly ration of 1.4 kg of split peas, 15kg of wheat and 0.45kg of oil. She says “This has been the worst drought I have seen in my lifetime”. Photo by Josh Estey/CARE
Severe Malnutrition
Awaiting her monthly ration of food, Malia Mele, 25, nurses her nine month old baby boy in her arms. She tells me “my son had severe malnutrition for one month.” With several government health clinics established throughout the drought affected areas, mothers and their children have received monthly screening for malnutrition. Malia’s son Samuel* was identified with severe acute malnutrition, receiving treatment before reaching a critical point where they would need admission to a stabilisation centre.
“I was told about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, seven times a day,” says Malia.
Malia is reliant upon CARE and the Government distributing essential supplies, so too are other mothers and babies.
CARE is working with the government to support women, children and their families with urgent response through health centres like those I visit in the Alemdrom community.
While speaking with CARE’s healthcare worker Azeb Alemiyehu, who has been working in this area for the last six months, I am told, “The first 1000 days are crucial. From the moment of conception until two years old, the baby must get adequate nutrition in order to avoid stunting. Otherwise, this not only affects the mother and baby, this affects generations to come.”
When asked how it feels to see mothers and children presenting at the clinic with malnutrition Azeb tells me “It’s hard. The drought has really affected women. I see them suffering most. I feel bad when I see their suffering.”
At this particular health centre 200 mothers are being supported, along with outpatient treatment of six babies. Babies like nine month old Sina*.
As I stand under the veranda of the clinic, asking Azeb about the current situation, Fatima arrives with her nine month old baby girl Sina. Azeb and CARE trained healthcare worker Hiwot Miliyon, respond by measuring Sina’s arm with a Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) band. The rating is 10.9. She is acutely malnourished. Azeb and Hiwot give Sina a taste of Plumpy’nut, a peanut-based paste in a plastic wrapper, packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrate. Fortunately Sina responds and swallows the emergency food. Should she not take the food, this would be a sign of an extreme situation, requiring Sina to be admitted to a stabilisation centre.
Fatima is provided with 14 packs of Plumpy’Nut, as well as advice on preparing food in a nutritious way. Azeb and Hiwot also discuss family planning with Fatima, advising her to speak with her husband soon, as having another child at this time would put extra strain on her health and that of the baby. Lastly, gentle drops of antibiotics fall into baby Sina’s mouth as she objects to all the fuss through tears.
Nooria Ibrahim, 23, is nine months pregnant and underweight. Acute food insecurity in Eastern Ethiopia has put her and her unborn child at risk from malnutrition. Photo by Josh Estey/CARE
'Her stomach is so small'
It brings me comfort to see healthcare workers here in Eastern Ethiopia responding to the food crisis with the essential items they need. If help had not come on time the situation would be markedly different. Especially for women like Nooria Ibrahim, 23.
Nine months pregnant with her third child, Nooria’s belly isn’t as big as it should be. Azeb rests her hand on Nooria’s shoulder as she conducts an assessment.
“You see, she is nine months pregnant and her stomach is so small,” says Azeb.
Like everyone in this area, Nooria doesn’t have enough to eat. Her husband farms maize but like everyone else, they are reliant upon CARE and the Government to distribute food during this time of acute food insecurity. Placing a MUAC band around Nooria’s upper arm concludes she is malnourished. Eating just twice a day so that she can provide other family members with enough food is putting Nooria and her baby at risk. It’s thanks to intervention that Nooria’s pregnancy has been able to get this far. She has received immunisations through Government programs and been given information on what to eat.
Nooria and others like her need help to eat three nutritious meals a day. Ending hunger now can save a generation from the pain, suffering and seriousness of stunting.
Mother of three, Fatima Jibro, 30, collects seeds to plant now that the rain has come. All of her seeds were lost in the last attempt to plant. These precious seeds from the EU are distributed by CARE. Staff explain that these seeds are not to be eaten. They are specially developed drought resistant maize seeds. Each individual is allowed 6.5kgs. Women are prioritised to receive them first and everyone signs an agreement to return 6.5kg of seed following harvest.
Dasi Jamen, 20, is a mother of one child. She has been patiently waiting for the seeds and is relieved time has come to once again sow the seeds of a new and hopeful future.
*CARE is committed to being a child safe organisation. Names of children have been changed.