Restoring Health and Hope in Kenya

In Marsabit County, northern Kenya, years of relentless drought have taken a devastating toll. Livelihoods crumbled as livestock perished, leaving families without their primary source of food and income. Malnutrition rates soared, and for many, access to basic health services was a distant dream. But with Medair’s outreach intervention, hope and health have returned to these vulnerable nomadic pastoralist communities.

A Lifeline for Malnourished Children

For mothers like 25-year-old Golicha, Medair’s mobile clinics and the nutrition programme have been life-changing. Her son, Abdi, was admitted to the programme for severe malnutrition. Golicha shared:

"Medair came to support us. Through Medair, we have enough support, services are close, and we do not have to travel far to get the supplementary food. Abdi is malnourished and has been admitted to the nutrition programme. He is improving. This is a great support because we do not have to do expensive travels for the services, they are right at our doorstep."

Medair’s outreach teams, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, provided regular health and nutrition services, bringing lifesaving care closer to home. At eleven different outreach sites, mothers and children received education, health screenings, and essential food supplements.

Caroline, Medair’s Nutrition Project Manager, explained:

"The first thing we do when mothers come in is health and nutrition education. Then we take anthropometric measurements and provide routine medication if needed. Families also receive food and protective rations. Through these services, we’ve seen significant improvements in malnutrition rates and positive behavioural changes."

Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM): Care at the Doorstep

Medair’s ICCM approach has been pivotal in reducing malnutrition and improving overall health. Community Health Promoters (CHPs) were trained to diagnose their own community members and treat common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malaria. For remote villages like those in Marsabit, this localized care has been a game-changer.

Community Health Promoter Ali, shared his journey as we met him during one of his many household visits:

"I live in a remote village where facilities are far away. People had to travel 15 kilometers for treatment, which was expensive and difficult. Now, I treat children in their homes. What I can’t treat, I refer to the next clinic. It’s fulfilling to see children get better and the community appreciate our work."

Mothers, too, have felt the impact. Mother Roba, who invited us to her home during Ali’s visit, shared:

"My child had diarrhoea with blood. The Community Health Promoter came to check and referred us to the nearest clinic. The treatment was successful. I am very happy with Medair’s work. They bring services to our homes and save us the burden of long, expensive journeys."

The Ripple Effect of Nutrition Education

Through essential education promotion messages, Medair empowered families with knowledge on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and hygiene. Nutrition project Manager Caroline reflected on the progress:

"We’ve seen mothers adopt inclusive breastfeeding and better hygiene practices. They now incorporate diverse foods into their children’s diets. These changes have significantly improved their health."

An Exit Strategy Rooted in Sustainability

As Medair’s project in Marsabit concludes, the focus has shifted to sustainability. Community Health Promoters were provided with three months’ worth of medical supplies to continue their work, ensuring the community remains supported.

Caroline expressed her emotions about the closure:

"It is fulfilling to see children heal and the community thrive, but some needs are still there. Overall, we’ve made significant progress. The community has been deeply appreciative, saying Medair truly delivered on its promises."

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Gratitude and a Call to Action

The mothers, Community Health Promoters, and many community members have expressed heartfelt gratitude to Medair and its donors. Godana, a mother of six whose son Ibrahim is in the nutrition programme, shared at one of the outreach sites:

"We are very grateful and thankful for your work. Our children’s health has improved"

During the entire intervention period, Medair treated 1,740 patients for malnutrition in the most remote parts of Kenya. While the project has made strides in reducing malnutrition and improving health, Marsabit will continue to face challenges and threats of natural hazards. But after Medair’s emergency response, the community is now more resilient and hopeful.

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Be Part of the Change

Your support can help extend this life-changing impact to more vulnerable communities around the world. Together, we can bring health, hope, and a brighter future to children and families in need.

Donate today and make a difference.

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This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organisation.