Yemen crisis

Conflict has changed Tareq’s life, but he is determined to keep learning.

"I wish to go back to school after a year of absence," says Tareq. 

Tareq is a 12year-old boy, living in the Hodeida governorate in Yemen. When his family home was hit by a missile, he was badly injured by the shrapnel. "The sound (of the missile) was getting closer and closer until it reached my bedroom. I was terrified at the time. Suddenly, I found myself unconscious and I couldn’t feel or touch my body anymore. I fell into a coma for a few days. Then I woke up to see that my hand was amputated and I was in extreme pain," says Tareq.

Tareq was referred to a Save the Children supported rehabilitation centre and was given lifesaving treatment and rehabilitation for his injury. Tareq has now recovered from his physical injuries but is still dealing with the psychological impacts and is often scared.

Despite everything he has experienced, Tareq is determined to keep learning. “I love my school and hope to catch up with it this year, especially after a long absence due to the war and my injury.”

You were there for Tareq when it mattered most. But there is so much more to do. Thousands of children still need life-saving care, shelter and the chance to return to doing the things they love.

"When I prepare the breakfast, I pray that we will be able to have lunch, and when lunch comes I wonder what to have for supper. And when you go to sleep you start thinking about what you are going to feed them tomorrow or where you are going to get it from," says Suad*

In August 2018, 11-month-old Nusair* was treated for malnutrition in a Save the Children supported clinic. After his treatment, his family were forced to move to a much more remote area as conflict in their neighbourhood escalated and they were no longer safe. When Nusair started to get poorly again, his mother Suad couldn’t afford the trip to the hospital and was struggling to buy him nutritious food to nurse him back to health.

Thankfully,  after a follow-up visit our team referred Nusair back to the hospital, covering the costs of transport and providing nutrition-rich food to help Suad take care of her family.

Like any mum, Suad will always worry for her children. But for now, aged three, Nausair is a healthy and happy little boy. “He is now gaining more weight and his health is good. He doesn’t suffer from any disease. He is walking normally, interacts and responds with everyone in the family. After having lunch, he loves to play with his friends. He likes to go out with his father everywhere and he loves to ride his bicycle,” says Suad.

While conflict continues, thousands of mothers like Suad are experiencing the heartbreak of seeing their children suffer. You can help ease the burden and help more children like Nausair have the chance to play freely and without hunger.