Hope and health: supporting families in Sudan’s hardest times

At Albertani Primary Healthcare facility in North Delta locality, women and their babies from nearby villages gather on a Sunday morning. Some tend to their crying children, while others engage in conversations about their pregnancy journeys. They patiently wait for their turns at the facility, which has been a registration and cash distribution point for UNICEF's Mother and Child Cash Transfer Plus (MCCT+) Programme since April 2021.

The MCCT+ programme offers unconditional cash payments to pregnant women and mothers with children under two years old. It also connects them to critical health, nutrition, and other services to support the optimal growth and development of young children during the first thousand days of life. At this facility, a total of 2,600 women have been registered for the programme.

Each day, approximately 200 women visit the healthcare facility, seeking the services they need during pregnancy and lactation. Despite its simplicity, the facility is equipped to provide a comprehensive range of services, including newborn care, nutrition care and treatment, immunisation, antenatal care, and, at certain centres, postnatal care as well. The dedicated staff ensure that the women receive the necessary care for healthy pregnancies and newborns. 
 

Arwa’s story

Arwa, a mother of three, is accompanied by her 2-year-old daughter Razan at the healthcare centre today. Arwa is currently three months pregnant and has been visiting the facility regularly ever since she registered for the MCCT+ programme.

"Today, I had a consultation with the doctor and received folic acid," Arwa explains.

Arwa first learned about the MCCT+ programme from a midwife at the facility. To her, the programme has been a lifeline, especially since her family's financial situation became unstable due to the ongoing war.

"My husband is a teacher, but he hasn't received a salary since last year," Arwa recounts. 

She has been utilizing the cash payments to purchase nutritious food items such as eggs, meat, and milk for herself and her children.

Her daughter Razan also underwent a nutrition assessment, with her mid-upper arm circumference’s (MUAC) measurement indicating healthy nutritional status, marked with the green colour code. Razan was also vaccinated against measles and yellow fever. 
 

Rugaia‘s story

Rugaia is accompanied by her 20-months-old son, Abdelgader, as she attends her follow-up nutrition session at the health centre today.

When Abdelgader, fell ill, became thin, and lost appetite, Rugaia felt helpless and unsure of what to do. Although she was aware of the existence of the health facility, she wasn't certain about the services it provided. It was only after her peers shared information about the MCCT+ programme that she understood its benefits.

"The women informed me that pregnant women were being registered for cash payments. That's how I decided to visit the health facility," Rugaia explains.

Since then, Rugaia is registered under the programme and has become a regular visitor to the centre. During one of the nutrition sessions, Abdelgader’s weight was measured, and he was classified malnourished.

Through weekly check-ups, Rugaia receives a ration of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), a life-saving treatment for severe acute malnourished children. Today, she is relieved to see and celebrate her son’s recovery journey, thanks to the support and care provided.

Fatima’s story

In another room, Fatima patiently waits to meet with the nutritionist, accompanied by her 2-year-old daughter, Hafiz. Since birth, Hafiz has struggled with a blood infection, experiencing fluctuations in weight, loss of appetite, and recurring fevers. Hafiz is unable to sit or walk. She is stunted and malnourished.

Fatima has been registered under the MCCT+ programme since August 2021. The cash assistance she receives through the programme has been a great help, as the war has caused skyrocketing prices and a shortage of cash. She has used the funds primarily for Hafiz's medical treatment.

The care and treatment including RUTF, also provides relief for Fatima and her daughter.

"She is my top priority. My only wish is for her to become healthy," Fatima expresses her deep concern for her daughter's well-being.

Cash and much more

Awaidia, a nutritionist at the health centre, has noticed a positive change since the inception of the programme.

"I have observed that mothers come regularly for follow-up sessions. This has resulted in a decrease in cases of undernutrition," Awaidia shares.

This positive impact extends to other services, including immunization and neo-natal check-ups.

Under UNICEF’s MCCT+ programme supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the KfW German Development Bank, cash assistance is just one aspect of the support offered. With the generous contribution of the Government of France, mothers and their children in Sudan are benefiting from comprehensive health and nutrition services under the MCCT+ programme.