News
Ethiopia: responding to malnutrition locally
In Ethiopia's Afar region, Première Urgence Internationale is improving access to healthcare and combating malnutrition.
The story of Rukiya, a resident of the village of Asalil, illustrates the impact of this intervention in a context marked by climatic crises and displacement.
Publié le 21/05/2025 | Temps de lecture : 2 min
Care
as close as possible to needs
Rukiya, a mother of three, lives in a rural region affected by both drought and the effects of conflict. Lacking sufficient resources, her family has limited access to healthcare. When her first son fell seriously ill, she turned to the Abala health center, supported by Première Urgence Internationale.
The child was cared for in the nutritional stabilization unit before being transferred to the outpatient treatment program. Thanks to rapid and continuous care, he was able to regain his weight and growth in line with his age. During this period, Rukiya benefited from daily meals and nutritional advice to care for her child.
Global care
In addition to receiving medical treatment for her son and advice for herself and her family, Rukiya also took part in cooking demonstration sessions organized by Première Urgence Internationale teams. These sessions enabled many of the women to learn how to make the most of their food resources.
She also received one-off financial assistance, which enabled her to meet her essential expenses and strengthen her family stability in the short term.
Rukiya
Resident of the village of Asalil, supported by Première Urgence Internationale
“I tell them that their children can heal too. Like mine. ”
Her son’s recovery inspires other mothers in the region. Rukiya now shares her experience with the women of her village, encouraging them to seek out the health services available.
Grateful for the support she has received, she now wants to open a small food store to contribute to her family’s security.
Supporting
local resilience
In a still fragile context, marked by the cumulative effects of climate change and socio-economic crises, the intervention of Première Urgence Internationale teams in Afar aims to strengthen local health services, combat child malnutrition and support communities towards greater autonomy.
Through projects like Rukiya’s, this support is part of a dynamic of sustainable resilience and local solidarity.
These activities were made possible by a project funded by the French Embassy – CIAA. It focuses on the prevention and treatment of malnutrition in children through community nutrition services, therapeutic feeding, nutritional education and essential health care.
