A Lifeline for Baby Analia

In the arid expanse of Turkana County, Kenya, the relentless drought, exacerbated by climate change, has taken a heavy toll on its inhabitants. Sabina Naboi, a 23-year-old mother of three, knows this struggle all too well. Born and raised in Kakuma Refugee Camp after her mother arrived in 1999, she has witnessed firsthand the challenges that six consecutive drought seasons have brought. The situation, exercabated by climate change has had a negative impact on the nutrition status of people in Turkana County. 

The failed rainy seasons have left Sabina and her family reliant on food rations given at the refugee camp. Supplementing this with other nutritious food has been a constant challenge due to reduced income and other factors. "Due to the hard situation, I was not able to provide adequate and nutritious food for me and my family," Sabina shares, her words painting a stark picture of their daily struggle. 

When her youngest child, Analia, was born in 2023, Sabina was determined to provide her with the best possible start in life. But as Analia reached six months old, the harsh reality of their situation began to take its toll. Analia fell ill, afflicted by persistent diarrhoea and rapid weight loss. Her once bright eyes grew dull, and her tiny body became alarmingly frail. "Her body changed. She had lost so much weight and was in great distress," Sabina recalls. 

Desperate, Sabina rushed Analia to the hospital within the camp. There, the grim reality was confirmed after careful, assessement and screening: "It was found that she was suffering from severe acute malnutrition," Sabina recounts, the memory still fresh in her mind.

But amidst the worrying realisation, hope was restored as Analia was enrolled in the outpatient therapeutic program (OTP) and prescribed with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). Sabina, guided by the compassionate healthcare workers, began the painstaking process of nursing her daughter back to health. Day after day, Sabina patiently fed Analia the nutrient-rich RUTF. "I started by putting the RUTF in my baby’s porridge and she slowly started getting used to it and even enjoying it," Sabina says with a hint of relief in her voice.

Slowly but surely, Analia's strength returned. Her eyes regained their sparkle, her laughter filled their small home once more, and her tiny limbs grew stronger. "I was very happy when I started seeing some improvement in her health. It was such a relief," Sabina shares.  

With EU humanitarian aid support, UNICEF is working with partners on the ground to provide health and nutrition support to children such as Analia. The programme aims to treat malnutrition and its harmful effects on children under 5 years of age in Dadaab and Kakuma Refugee camps and host communities. 

In Kakuma, Turkana County, UNICEF Nutrition Officer Susan Jobando is leading efforts on the ground to support the county government through this programme by helping to build the capacity of the healthcare workers and the system to better deal with malnutrition. 

“UNICEF is playing a critical role here in ensuring that we have a supply whereby nutrition commodities reach the children who need them the most,” said Susan. “With partners and generous EU aid, we are able to reach children in need not only with treatment strategies but also with preventive measures so that they are able to adapt better to the negative effects of climate change.”   

Since 2021 the programme had been catering to over 8,000 children, but through additional EU humanitarian support and through sustained efforts by the Turkana County Government, over 22,000 children are currently being reached with lifesaving nutrition commodities and health services. 

Analia, now fully recovered, is a testament to the impact of this work

"Every mother wants their child to have a good, healthy and strong body. I am glad that my baby was given a fighting chance through this treatment," says Sabina as she plays with Analia at home.