For every child in Ethiopia, a chance to thrive
This month, we focus on Ethiopia, where UNICEF has been working since 1952 to support mothers, children and young people.
From helping malnourished children regain strength to ensuring families have access to life-saving healthcare, see how UNICEF and its partners are making a real difference every day.
When six-month-old Medina arrived at the hospital, she was frail and unable to sit up. Her mother, Amina, watched with deep concern, struggling to produce enough breast milk to nourish her child.
The family had already endured so much. A severe drought had forced them to flee their home in Afar, Ethiopia, leaving behind everything they had ever known. Now, in a camp for internally displaced people, Amina feared she might lose her daughter too.
“I didn’t think she would make it,” Amina recalls.
At the UNICEF-supported hospital, doctors quickly recognized the signs of severe acute malnutrition. Medina needed urgent care. She was given therapeutic milk to help stabilize her condition, followed by ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), a nutrient-rich peanut paste designed to help malnourished children regain their strength.
Little by little, Medina began to recover. Within days, she could sit up. Within weeks, she was smiling again. After two weeks of inpatient care, she was well enough to go home, where she continued treatment at an outpatient clinic.
Amina could finally breathe again. “I'm so happy that my daughter is better.”
“When she became malnourished, she never smiled. Since [treatment], she laughs and plays.”
Medina’s recovery shows just how much of a difference timely, life-saving care can make. With the right support, children like her can overcome even the toughest challenges and have the chance to thrive.
What inspired you to pursue a career in nutrition?
I decided to pursue a career in nutrition when I realized how vital it is for a child’s physical and cognitive development, overall health and future potential. This realization deepened during my college years, especially when I encountered the adage, “We are what we eat.”
It became clear to me that a career in nutrition would empower me to help secure children's fundamental rights: access to sufficient and nutritious food, optimal growth and development and a strong foundation for a successful future.
A moment at UNICEF you’re most proud of?
One of my proudest moments at UNICEF was leading catch-up campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic. As fear of infection kept mothers and caretakers from visiting healthcare facilities, I took the initiative, with strong support from my supervisor and colleagues, to bring essential nutrition services directly to communities.
By strategically allocating limited resources and mobilizing health centre staff and community volunteers, we reached over 2 million children who would have missed out on crucial nutrition support.
The success of this campaign not only made an immediate impact but also inspired government and partner adoption, ultimately benefiting over 8 million children.
What advice do you have for young people interested in this field?
My advice to young people passionate about making a difference is to join us in our mission to improve children's lives through proper nutrition.
Helping children thrive and grow into productive adults is incredibly rewarding but requires strength, dedication and a genuine commitment. Embrace challenges and don’t let setbacks or naysayers discourage you.
UNICEF offers countless opportunities to make an impact both locally and globally. Keep investing in your personal growth and seize every opportunity to be part of our team.
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What is the eCBN programme?
In communities across Ethiopia, local health workers and leaders are coming together to ensure children grow up healthy and well-nourished. Through the eCBN programme, families receive the support they need, from growth monitoring and life-saving nutrition services to vaccines and family planning.
Village Health Leads and Health Extension Workers guide parents through cooking demonstrations, life skills training and income-generating activities, empowering them with the knowledge and resources to build healthier futures for their children.
By strengthening local systems in food, health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), social protection and education, the programme is creating lasting change, one community at a time.
How is UNICEF helping expand the programme?
With malnutrition threatening the health of millions of children, UNICEF is working alongside Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and regional health bureaus to reach more families with life-saving nutrition services.
From training health workers and securing essential supplies to shaping policies and introducing innovative solutions, UNICEF is helping strengthen the programme at every level, ensuring no child is left behind.
What difference is it making?
UNICEF and partners support the nutrition programme reaching over 10 million children under five with essential nutrition services annually. Now, UNICEF is expanding the eCBN program to reach over 15 million children, with the care they need to grow up healthy and strong.
In 2024 alone, UNICEF helped treat nearly 670,000 children under five suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Ethiopia.
Find out more:
Reaching every child starts with people who believe in a better future. From governments and foundations to individuals and businesses, our partners play a vital role in driving change. Their support helps protect children’s rights, deliver life-saving services and create opportunities for the most vulnerable.
You can be part of this mission. Donate here to make a difference.
Want to see how we collaborate with the private sector to transform children’s lives? Subscribe to UNICEF’s “Making It Count” newsletter for insights.
Looking to partner with us? Join us here.
Read more about our work #ForEveryChild here.
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17hWell done!
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22hGreat job keep making the glob healthy for the safety of our children.
The truth is always strong and survives forever, false is passing. " "Honesty is the mirror of the soul."
1dPeople for people, life for life. Come forward in the service of humanity.
Human Resources Manager
1dUNFCCC Seeks Young Professionals for Fully Funded 2025 CAPACITY Fellowship Program – Apply Now! READ MORE/ APPLY HERE: https://lnkd.in/dqHhqaxP
Broadcast Journalist
1dFor instance, Colorectal cancer is the second wide spreading disease in Nigeria. I'm sure with the intervention of UNICEF in sensitizing the Populace, this can be reduced to the minimum.