One of Concern’s Community Health Workers found Mama inside her house grieving the loss of her children. At that point, her elder girl Khadija was recovering but, unfortunately, her youngest child Mohamed (2) was also sick. Fearing the worst for her toddler, Mama told them her story and they referred her to the health centre.
Mama Malyuun never had her children immunised as there was no immunisation program in her village. After arriving in the centre, the health worker explained to her how this tragedy could have been prevented by a single dose of vaccine. Both of her children were treated and vaccinated.
Measles is a highly contagious disease, which can, at its worst, cause fevers, pneumonia, brain damage and eventually death.
Drought and the ongoing food crisis have caused widespread hunger and forced millions to flee their homes in search of food and support, with many of these ending up on the outskirts of Mogadishu.
Low vaccination rates mean these increasingly overcrowded areas have become a breeding ground for contagious diseases.
Thousands of children have died in recent months.
You can help by donating to our measles appeal today.