THE BITTER REALITY OF THE WORLD: HUNGER

• 811 million people around the world are struggling with hunger.
• More than 3 million children die every year because of hunger crisis.
• In Yemen, which is one of the countries with the highest hunger rate, 24 million people need humanitarian aid and 17 million 400 thousand people are struggling with hunger.
• In Chad, 37.8% of the children under 5 suffer from developmental disabilities.
• In Afghanistan, 22 million 800 thousand people in need cannot reach sufficient and safe food, and 8 million 700 thousand people face severe hunger levels.

WHAT DO WE DO?

Malnutrition: Malnutrition is a disease resulting from diet lacking protein and energy, often accompanied by infections. It is unfortunately impossible for people suffering from this disease to hold on to life with regular foods. People with malnutrition can only be revived with medical nutritional treatment.

As Yeryüzü Doktorları, we have provided examination and nutrition treatment services to hundred thousandof people so far since 2012 within the scope of our activities in the countries where severe hunger prevails. We have changed the lives of people with these services, and keep on changing.

Moreover, we distribute food packages in many countries and organize iftar meals in Ramadan as a part of preventive health care services in order to support nutrition health. With our nutrition support programs, we reach a hand to the people in need all around the world.

The regions where we actively continue providing the nutritional treatments are listed below:

Yemen Nutrition Health Centers: In May 2016, we opened 4 nutrition health centers in the regions of Al-Sheikh, Dar Sad, Al-Mulla and Al-Borika in Aden province, and conducted examinations and nutritional treatments until the end of April 2017 for those in need, particularly pregnant/nursing mothers and children. As of March 2018, our activities have been continuing in the nutrition health centers opened in the regions of Al-Nasr and Faqum in Aden province and in the regions of Old Fowa and Alber Hadramawt provinces. In May 2021, we built 3 new health centers and started our operations there. In total, there are 7 nutrition health centers in Yemen providing examinations and treatments.

Chad-Sido Refugee Health Center: We have been providing primary healthcare service at our Chad-Sido Refugee Health Clinic since 2016. As of 2018, we have been conducting nutritional treatments at our health center for people suffering from malnutrition in the region.

Afghanistan Nutrition Health Centers: With 15 nutrition health centers and 11 mobile health care teams that were built in 15 cities and started to serve in January 2020, we provide examination and treatment services for the people in need especially pregnant/nursing woman and children.

Somalia Nutrition Health Center: In Somalia Mogadishu Health Center, where we provide primary health care services, we have also started to provide services in the field of nutritional health in October 2021. In addition to our center located in Mogadishu, a new nutritional health center was established in February 2022 in Galmudug province and it continues to operate in the field of nutrition health. 

Bangladesh Nutrition Health Center: Our Bangladesh Thaingkhali Health Center has started its operations in June 2020 and it is currently providing primary health care services. It has also started to provide nutritional health services as of November 2021.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS MALNUTRITION?

Malnutrition is a disease caused by the inability of the body to meet its energy and protein needs as a result of undernourishment and long-term hunger in terms of content or amount. People with severe malnutrition need to receive medical nutrition treatment in order to be able to connect to life.

WHAT IS MEDICAL NUTRITION TREATMENT?

It is a type of treatment applied by giving specially prepared supportive and therapeutic foods to people suffering from malnutrition. Therapeutic foods are used for children under 5 with severe nutritional deficiency, and supportive foods are used for children over the age of 5 and pregnant/lactating mothers. The treatment process can last from 4 weeks to 8 weeks. The treatment is completed when people reach the weight they are normally supposed to have.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF NUTRITION HEALTH OTHER THAN NUTRITIONAL TREATMENT?

In order to support nutritional health and as a part of preventive health services, we distribute food packages in many countries during Ramadan such as Syria, Chad, Mali, Somalia, Uganda, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Palestine. We also organize iftar organizations in regions where possible.