Introduction
Drought recurrence has increased due to reduced rain fall, and conflict in Somalia has resulted in the emergence of many humanitarian issues, the majority of which are related to health and nutrition, which have had a negative impact on society and its individuals. Malnutrition is particularly dangerous among children under the age of five, as well as pregnant and lactating women (PLW). Deynile district is one of the districts in Somalia’s Benadir region with a high rate of malnutrition. To aid in the reduction of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of five, as well as pregnant and lactating women, YouthLink orgnization, a implementing partner of Concern Worldwide, is implementing emergency health and nutrition intervention to the displacement communities.
This is a case study of malnutrition in a child named Abdullahi Mohamed Nune, visited by the mobile site carried by mother Fadumo Madey.
Fadumo Madey, a program participant with five children, Due to a low income and the impact of crises on her family, one of her children was severely malnourished; YouthLink community health workers visited the IDPs where Mama Faduma Madey lived and explained the services provided by YouthLink mobile health teams. She agreed to bring her child to the clinic after hearing the explanations. Fadumo Madey brought her child to the clinic, Abdullah Mohamed Nuune, a 48-month-old boy suffering from severe acute malnutrition. The health workers examined him and provided him with the necessary nutrition. His weight was 9.9 kg, his MUAC was 10.6 cm, and his Z-score was less than -3.
Abdulahi was admitted to the Outpatient Therapeutic Program due to severe wasting and stunting of his body. He spent two months in the Outpatient Therapeutic Program before being referred to the Target Supplementary Feeding Program (Moderate Acute Malnutrition). The health workers examined him and provided him with the necessary nutrition. The little boy received the necessary care and was monitored until he recovered from SAM. Abdullahi quickly gained weight and recovered from malnutrition.
Abdullah’s parents thanked youth link for its humanitarian support and urgent assistance provided by its teams in such affected areas. Youth link funded by concern contributes to saving the lives of so many children like Abdullah across Somalia.
The table below summarizes the differences between before and after intervention.
| Anthropometric measurement and routine treatment at OTP and TSFP | ||
| Measurement | On Admission | At Discharge |
| Date | 9-2-2023 | 4-01-2023 |
| Mid Upper Arm Circumference | 10.6 | 13 |
| WFH | -3 | -1 |
| Weight | 9.9 | 11.8 |
| Height | 89 | 90 |
| Oedema | 0 | 0 |
| Albendazole tab 200mg single | yes | yes |
| vitamin A 200,000IU | yes | no |
| measles vaccination | no | no |
| Date of transfer to other TSFP | 4/01/2023 | N/A |
| Amoxicillin syrup 250mg 1×3 | YES | No |
Fadumo Madey has also benefited from Infant and Young Child Feeding messages provided by youth link health staff because she breastfeeds her 12-month-old child. “I couldn’t believe that my child survived from the condition he was in before, thanks to youth link health staff who I believe saved a lot to me, they really supported me and saved my child,” said Fadumo Madey.
