Fatoom is a one-year-old girl who lives in a small village in Yemen. She was born into a country that has been ravaged by war, famine, and disease for more than six years. She has never known peace or stability in her short life.

Fatoom’s family used to have a farm where they grew crops and raised animals. They had enough food to eat and sell at the market. They had a house with electricity and water. They had a community with schools and health centers. They had a future with hopes and dreams.

But everything changed when the conflict erupted in Yemen in 2015. The fighting between the government forces and the rebel groups escalated into a brutal civil war that has killed over 230,000 people and displaced over 4 million others. The war has also destroyed the country’s infrastructure, economy, and social services. The war has also triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with over 20 million people facing acute food insecurity and over 2 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM).

Fatoom’s family was among the millions who had to flee their home and seek safety elsewhere. They left behind everything they had and walked for days until they reached a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs). They settled in a tent that barely protected them from the harsh weather and the constant threat of violence. They depended on the humanitarian aid that was delivered by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and other agencies.

But the aid was not enough to meet the needs of all the people in the camp. The war made it difficult and dangerous for the aid workers to access some areas and deliver assistance. The funding for the humanitarian response was also insufficient and unpredictable. The COVID-19 pandemic added another layer of complexity and challenge to the already dire situation.

Fatoom’s mother, Zainab, tried her best to feed her daughter with whatever food she could find or receive. But it was not enough to nourish her growing body and brain. Fatoom became weak, thin, and sickly. She lost her appetite, her energy, and her smile. She was diagnosed with SAM at just nine months old.

SAM is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a child’s weight is significantly below normal for their height, or when they have a very low mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). SAM affects a child’s physical growth, mental development, and immune system. SAM increases the risk of death from common infections like diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria.

Fatoom was one of the lucky ones who received treatment for SAM at a WFP-supported health center near the camp. She was given therapeutic food like Plumpy’Nut, which is a peanut-based paste that contains high amounts of calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals. She was also given breastfeeding nutrition support, which helped Zainab produce more milk for her daughter.

The treatment worked wonders for Fatoom. She gained weight, strength, and health. She regained her appetite, her energy, and her smile. She recovered from SAM in just a few weeks.

Fatoom is now a happy and healthy one-year-old girl who loves to play with her brothers and sisters. She has a bright future ahead of her.

But Fatoom is not out of danger yet. She still lives in a country that is on the brink of famine. She still faces the risks of hunger, disease, and violence every day. She still needs continuous food assistance and medical care to survive and thrive.

WFP is working hard to reach Fatoom and millions of other children like her in Yemen and around the world who are suffering from hunger and malnutrition. WFP provides life-saving food assistance, nutrition support, school meals, cash transfers, vouchers, and other interventions to help them overcome hunger and build resilience.

But WFP cannot do it alone. WFP relies on the generosity and solidarity of donors, partners, and supporters to fund its operations and activities. WFP needs more resources to continue its vital work in Yemen and other crisis zones.

You can help Fatoom and other children like her by donating to WFP or spreading the word about their plight. Every dollar counts and every action matters.

Together, we can save lives and change lives.