FOR Fondation is supporting Medair in its endeavors to enhance nutrition and physical and mental health for children and mothers facing the ravages of war and displacement in Yemen.
Since 2021, Medair has been operating in two refugee camps in the southern Tuban district, providing psychological support to children living there. One approach to achieving this is by providing children with safe spaces and equipment for play, an activity known to benefit children’s cognitive development.
Medair is currently creating and improving play areas in the two camps and at a health center for children aged 0-6 years. The objective is to facilitate social interaction between the children and their family members. In the four months since the project’s inception, the three play areas have welcomed 914 children and 356 mothers, who report that being in these secure spaces reduces their stress and helps their children experience moments of happiness.
For children aged 7-13, Medair is developing an activity program centered around sports, known to support mental health and help address common issues in refugee camps such as social cohesion, inclusion, and resilience. By engaging in dialogue with both children and adult residents of the two camps, Medair aims to procure equipment and train facilitators to establish a sustainable program that will positively impact the younger generation.
These activities complement a comprehensive health and nutrition program that Medair has been implementing for several years in Yemen. It supports multiple healthcare facilities to prevent and address critical needs among women and children, including severe acute malnutrition and common infectious diseases.
