Hiwot’s journey from Malnutrition to Recovery

In My Mesanu, a small Kebele in Tigray Region, Hiwot Tesfay joins a line of women making their way toward the Health Center, some carrying children on their backs, others visibly pregnant, all waiting for their turn to be screened and receive food supplies. Hiwot and her family of six are struggling with food insecurity. Her husband works as a daily labourer, but opportunities are scarce, sometimes he finds work, and sometimes he does not.

Before receiving assistance, Hiwot often felt exhausted. “I went for pre-screening, and they identified me as malnourished,” says Hiwot. Her young daughter  Merhawit, was also screened and found to be malnourished, and together they began receiving nutritional support from WFP. 

Despite decades of progress, malnutrition remains one of Ethiopia’s most pressing challenges. Nationally, 36.6 percent of children under five are stunted, 7.2 percent wasted, and 21.1 percent underweight. Malnutrition has far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and communities in Ethiopia. For children, undernutrition leads to stunting, wasting, and being underweight, which impair physical growth, weaken immunity, and increase vulnerability to disease. For mothers, malnutrition increases the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, while limiting their ability to care for their households. At the community level, malnutrition perpetuates poverty by lowering workforce productivity and straining health systems.

WFP’s targeted nutrition program in Tigray Region is designed to reach the most vulnerable households, identified through screenings and vulnerability assessments. By providing specialized food rations, WFP is helping families like Hiwot’s recover from malnutrition and regain strength. After being diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), Hiwot and her daughter received nutritious blends designed to help them regain strength.

For Hiwot, the assistance has been life changing. The regular screenings at the health post reassure her that his progress is being closely monitored, and she feels less alone in her struggle. “The doctors here gave me and my daughter an appointment paper for treatment, and then we received supplementary food.” Says Hiwot. With the nutrition support, she has been able to continue caring for her household. She remembers how the numbers slowly changed, each visit marking progress “With each visit, I saw the number on my MUAC scale rise higher, so did my daughter’s numbers. Slowly, both me and my child became stronger.” She adds with relief. 

Today, Hiwot speaks with relief and renewed energy. WFP’s nutrition support has restored her strength, and her daughter Merhawit is growing healthier with each passing month. For Hiwot, these changes are more than physical, they are a promise of a stronger future.