The face of famine

Emaciated Saida Ahmad Baghili is one of more than 14 million people, over half of Yemen’s population, who lack enough food. The 18-year-old’s picture is stark evidence of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen with the country on the brink of famine, according to the United Nations.

The Arabian Peninsula’s poorest country, where at least 10,000 people have been killed in fighting between Saudi-led Arab coalition and the Iran-allied Houthi movement, is suffering from the hammer blows of poverty and a 19-month civil war.

Saida Ahmad Baghili lies on a hospital bed in the red sea port city of Hodaida.

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Saida Ahmad Baghili, 18, is carried by her cousin at the al-Thawra hospital where she receives treatment for severe acute malnutrition in the Red Sea port city of Houdieda, Yemen October 25, 2016.

Baghili is from the small village of Shajn, about 100 km (60 miles) southwest of the city of Hodaida, and used to work with sheep before developing signs of malnutrition five years ago, according to her aunt, Saida Ali Baghili.

The civil war has added to people’s misery, deepening the food crisis. Conflict, insecurity and displacement are just part of the problem, though. Natural disasters have played a role as well.

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Saida Ahmad Baghili lies on a bed at the al-Thawra hospital, October 24, 2016.

“She was fine. She was in good health. There was nothing wrong with her. And then she got sick,” Ali Baghili told Reuters. “She has been sick for five years. She can’t eat. She says her throat hurts.”

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Baghili sits with the help of her mother. After the war began, Baghili’s condition deteriorated with her family lacking the money for treatment. She lost more weight and in the last two months developed diarrhea.

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Nurses attend to Saida Ahmad Baghili, 18, at the al-Thawra hospital where she receives treatment for severe acute malnutrition, October 25, 2016.

“Her father couldn’t (afford to) send her anywhere (for treatment) but some charitable people helped out,” Ali Baghili said, without elaborating who the donors were.

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Baghili sits in a wheelchair at the al-Thawra hospital, October 25, 2016.

Yemen - malnutrition

Baghili lies on a bed at the al-Thawra hospital where she receives treatment for severe acute malnutrition in the Red Sea port city of Houdieda, Yemen October 24, 2016. She is generally bed-ridden and unable to eat, surviving on a diet of juice, milk and tea, medical staff and a relative said.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), Yemen has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in the world and the situation continues to deteriorate.

For more information: The World Food Programme