Yemen: The many faces of hunger — Maika

An overworked nurse recalls the most difficult moments saving patients from malnutrition at a health center in Yemen’s Hajja

“We work 24 hours a day in this health center. It is the only one in Aslem district and serves all surrounding villages. We are overwhelmed and understaffed. There are some days when we have more children than beds, so we put three on a bed and lay the rest on mattresses on the floor.”

Maika Mohamed Alaslemy is the Head Nurse at Aslem Health Center in Yemen’s Hajja Governorate. The expression on her face reflects the grief she and her team feel on the job. Photo: WFP/Abeer Etefa

“Most of the children suffer from severe acute malnutrition with diarrhea and pneumonia. These are serious cases that require monitoring at least every four hours. We are in a race against time to save these young lives. Most of these babies come from the displaced families who fled the fighting in Hodeidah but many also come from the host community in Aslem. Hunger does not differentiate between children.”

Working around the clock, Maika conducts routine check-ups on malnourished children in the health center. Photo: WFP/Abeer Etefa

“The medical workers here have not been paid for over three months and we do not get holidays or time off. We work under so much pressure out of our obligation to save lives and preserve the future of Yemen. It is the only thing that I can do from here.”

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