A Lifeline in Daw’an: Restoring Children's Health and Families' Hopes
Bringing life-saving nutrition care closer to vulnerable children and families in Hadramaut
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In Daw’an district, located in the valley of Hadramaut Governorate, parents often face an agonizing choice: travel long distances they cannot afford or watch their malnourished children grow weaker by the day. Limited access to specialized healthcare, rising transportation costs, and lack of awareness mean that many children receive help too late, putting their lives at risk and deepening the burden on already struggling families.
Bringing Care Closer
To save children’s lives, UNICEF with support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) works at the Therapeutic Feeding Center (TFC) in Daw’an to provide accessible, life-saving care to children who previously struggled to reach remote facilities in Al Mukalla and Say’un. For many families, the new centre has cut journeys that once took hours into short, manageable visits, making timely treatment possible for the first time. Since December 2021, the centre has become a lifeline for children and families in Daw’an and neighboring districts like As-Saytan, Yabuth, Hawrah, and Wadi Al Ayn.
The center provides specialized care for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, significantly reducing the life-threatening risks. “We treat children from birth up to 59 months of age, carrying out comprehensive screenings that include weight and height measurements as well as laboratory tests. Based on these results, we determine whether a child requires hospitalization, nutritional therapy, or medication,” explains Dr. Yeslam Raji, a resident doctor at the center. “We also raise parents' awareness on breastfeeding and proper child health care. By being close to the community, the center ensures children receive timely, life-saving care, without forcing families to endure long and costly journeys,” he adds.
Families like Salem Saleh’s have experienced the centre’s impact firsthand. “I was deeply worried when I noticed my children, Saleem and Salma, becoming unwell,” says their father, Salem. “When I brought them to the center, I felt immediate relief as the staff conducted the necessary medical tests.” He continues, “While I was concerned at first, witnessing their recovery has been a true relief.” He also points out the importance of the center's proximity, "I am so glad that we have a TFC nearby. Before, the journey to the nearest center was long and very challenging. I truly thank UNICEF and its staff for their support."
Reflecting on his experience, Salem encourages other parents to act quickly. “I urge parents not to delay seeking help if they see their children’s health worsening,” he explains. “This center offers every service needed to help them get well again.”
Similarly, Um Muhammad found full support for her one-and-a-half-year-old son, Muhammad Abdullah, at the center.“Neighbors told me about a special center for malnourished children, so I brought my son here, and he was put on therapeutic feeding,” she recalls. “We now come to the center every month for checkups.” She continues, “We were initially worried, but we soon felt reassured as Muhammad’s health improved. The staff explained that transportation and meals are provided free of charge, which made it much easier for us to focus on our child’s recovery.”
The Therapeutic Feeding Center in Daw’an has had an impact far beyond improving children’s health; it has restored hope to families and lifted the heavy burdens they once carried. Today, the children’s improved well-being is evident, giving the community confidence that children will lead a healthy life. Um Mohammed summarizes her experience with gratitude, “Do not hesitate to take your children to the TFC. Seeing them recover so close to home is a true joy. I would like to thank UNICEF for this center, and I hope this vital support remains available for everyone."
This progress is made possible through the partnership between UNICEF and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which is helping to expand access to life-saving nutrition services for vulnerable children across Yemen. By supporting therapeutic feeding centers like the one in Daw’an, the partnership ensures that severely malnourished children receive timely treatment close to their homes, preventing complications, reducing child mortality, and giving thousands of children a stronger start in life despite the ongoing crisis.
As the center continues its work, families in Daw’an now have something they once lacked, timely access to care and renewed hope for their children’s future.
