Ethiopia: Over 20 Million People Suffering from Hunger and Malnutrition
19.07.2024
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4 minutes
Malnutrition is a silent killer of children and a cause of immense suffering for adults. In Ethiopia, nearly one in five people (between 20 and 22 million) are at risk of malnutrition or hunger. The situation is exacerbated by droughts and internal tensions in the country, which are consequences of the bloody civil war from 2020 to 2022. The Polish Medical Mission is helping pregnant women and newborns—the most vulnerable to the crisis.
The most serious consequences of malnutrition and hunger in children include stunted growth, weight loss, physical and mental developmental disorders, weakened immune and muscular systems, and, in extreme cases, direct death.
Ethiopia is a country where this problem particularly affects children. More than 20 million people are at risk of hunger or malnutrition. The Polish Medical Mission aids those most suffering in such crises, starting with the youngest. In the hospital in Waliso, 850 newborns received medical care and nutrition.
Nearly half of child deaths worldwide are related to malnutrition. These are tragedies that can be avoided. That’s why we conducted therapeutic feeding for severely malnourished children in Waliso hospital. The average cost of such treatment is less than 250 PLN: for that amount, a life can be saved, says Małgorzata Olasińska-Chart, the director of humanitarian aid at the Polish Medical Mission.
Malnutrition is not the only problem the country faces. During the two-year armed conflict that ended in 2022, up to 600,000 civilians died. The latest clashes on the Tigray state border erupted between April and May. Among those severely at risk of hunger in Ethiopia are 4 million internally displaced persons. Ethiopia is also home to over a million refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea. As many as 45% of refugee households lack sufficient food to feed the entire family.
Severely malnourished pregnant women and children should be hospitalized because their health and lives are at risk. That’s why we are expanding our activities in Ethiopia, adds Małgorzata Olasińska-Chart. Supporting medical care in Ethiopia is crucial. The doctor-to-patient ratio in this country is 1:50,000, and for nurses, it’s 1:5,000.
In light of these facts, the Polish Medical Mission—with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—is expanding its operations in Ethiopia. The organization will provide specialized neonatal and child care support at St. Luke’s Hospital in Waliso and rural health centers in the Oromia region. Additionally, a functioning ambulance will be purchased to transport patients quickly to medical facilities. Another area of activity for the Polish Medical Mission will be essential health education for staff and patients, ensuring that the effects of the aid provided will be visible long after the humanitarian projects are completed.
This is not the first time the Polish Medical Mission has cared for needy patients and those affected by hunger and malnutrition. In the Gaza Strip, the organization buys infant formula, and in Senegal, it supports rural health centers, trains medical staff, and educates on healthy nutrition for children under five.