Sudan: Stimulation therapy helps Sadia’s children overcome the effects of malnutrition
21.2 million Sudanese are facing acute hunger due to the war.¹ For young children, this heightens the risk of lasting developmental delays.
One of Aisha’s children during a stimulation therapy session, aimed at overcoming developmental delays caused by malnutrition. | © HI
Malnutrition
I am Aisha*, 24 years old. I was living a stable life in Wad Madani before the war. I lived with my husband as a housewife, taking care of our home and family.
When my husband went missing during the war, it left me with a deep sense of fear and insecurity. I experienced assaults, was beaten, and threatened with a gun. After this, I sought refuge elsewhere, traveling part of the difficult journey by cart and continuing on foot to reach safety.
I struggled to provide my children with even their most basic necessities, including enough food. As a result, both of my children suffered from malnutrition. I tried to find domestic work, but the demands of this type of work severely affected my health, which obliged me to stop working.
Stimulation therapy
Because of malnutrition, my twins lost normal growth milestones and were unable to stand or walk. After receiving stimulation therapy sessions provided by HI, I am now able to see them standing and attempting to walk.
I am happily reunited with my husband, and together we are working hard to secure a stable income, which will help us build a safe and healthy future for our family.
*Aisha is not her real name
In Wad Madani (Al Jazirah state), southeast of the capital Khartoum, HI provides rehabilitation care and supplies assistive devices primarily to people with disabilities. In addition, stimulation therapy is offered to malnourished children to prevent long-term disabilities. HI provides these services in four existing hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
In the western part of the country, in Tawilah (North Darfur State), functional rehabilitation care is provided at a hospital run by HI’s partner. The services primarily assist people with war-related injuries like gunshot wounds, trauma linked to forced displacement, and injuries resulting from precarious living conditions in displacement camps through emergency rehabilitation care. In addition, support is also provided to people with disabilities.
Since beginning its work, HI has carried out over 9,500 rehabilitation sessions and provided care for almost 2,400 individuals. More than 150 people have also received assistive devices. HI is one of the few humanitarian organizations providing rehabilitation care in the country.
¹ WFP
