AYAD FAMILY STORY
Nesma Ayad is a young Gazan mother of four children (Eline, 10; Ahmed, 8; Jana, 7; and Jori, 1). When the assault on Gaza started, her husband was in Egypt to donate his liver to his father, and he was unable to return to help his family.
Nesma’s home in northern Gaza was soon destroyed by bombs, forcing the family to flee into areas where food was scarce. This lack of food and clean water affected Nesma’s third child, Jana, most severely. Jana developed stomach problems, and her body became unable to retain what little food and water she was consuming. Her constant vomiting and diarrhea sent her into a downward spiral of worsening dehydration and malnourishment.
Fearing her daughter was dying, Nesma found refuge in a WHO-sponsored nutrition stabilization center. was in Kamal Adwan hospital. From there, an international emergency team transferred Jana to a field hospital in the south. The eight-year-old’s weight had dropped to only 9 kg (less than 20 lbs).
Nesma’s home in northern Gaza was soon destroyed by bombs, forcing the family to flee into areas where food was scarce. This lack of food and clean water affected Nesma’s third child, Jana, most severely. Jana developed stomach problems, and her body became unable to retain what little food and water she was consuming. Her constant vomiting and diarrhea sent her into a downward spiral of worsening dehydration and malnourishment.
Fearing her daughter was dying, Nesma found refuge in a WHO-sponsored nutrition stabilization center. was in Kamal Adwan hospital. From there, an international emergency team transferred Jana to a field hospital in the south. The eight-year-old’s weight had dropped to only 9 kg (less than 20 lbs).
“I’m terrified of losing my daughter,” Nesma told writers for the WHO’s newsletter. “My daughter is my life. She was like a flower. Now, I can see her ribs and her spine. She can’t even sit. I have to carry her to the toilet.”
Our team made this video to tell the Ayad family’s story. The first part of the video explains Nesma’s situation. The second part is a phone call we made to Nesma, in which we spoke (via our translator) to Nesma, Jana, and Jana’s brother, Ahmad.
Our team made this video to tell the Ayad family’s story. The first part of the video explains Nesma’s situation. The second part is a phone call we made to Nesma, in which we spoke (via our translator) to Nesma, Jana, and Jana’s brother, Ahmad.
Jana has since gained two kilograms, but her weight gain has stalled, and she continues to suffer the aftereffects of prolonged malnutrition, including stomach problems, bone pain, hair loss, and psychological trauma.
We’re trying to facilitate the Ayad family’s exit from Gaza to get treatment for Jana and to reunite the children with their father. To follow their story, sign up for our monthly newsletter.
Watch this video to hear Nesma Ayad speak about her daughter’s condition (in Arabic with English subtitles):