During a time when HIV/AIDS was scarcely recognised or understood in Eritrea, the Bedduho Project emerged as one of the first initiatives to address the unique health challenges faced by HIV-affected mothers and their children. In partnership with the Ministry of Health, the project sought support from ERA UK to provide technical assistance, nutritional resources, and monitoring systems to protect maternal and child health.
The primary aim was to ensure that children born to mothers with HIV had access to adequate nutrition during early development, while also supporting the physical and emotional well-being of the mothers.
Eritrea was facing a significant gap in both public awareness and healthcare infrastructure related to HIV/AIDS. There was widespread stigma and a lack of education about the condition, leaving affected mothers isolated and unsupported. Nutritional deficiencies among these mothers and their infants posed serious risks to child survival and growth. Furthermore, there was an urgent need for a reliable system to monitor the effectiveness of any intervention, ensuring that nutritional support translated into measurable health improvements for both mother and child.
ERA UK responded by forming a close partnership with the Bedduho Project to design and implement a nutrition-focused intervention. The provision of high-quality milk products served as the cornerstone of this effort, ensuring that mothers living with HIV could feed their children adequately, especially during infancy when nourishment is most critical.
Recognising the importance of evidence-based impact, ERA UK introduced a rigorous monitoring and evaluation process, whereby children's weights were carefully measured before and after feeding. This data-driven approach allowed the project to assess the success of the intervention in real-time and make necessary adjustments to optimise results. In addition to logistical and nutritional support, ERA UK also offered strategic guidance on how to structure the intervention for scalability and long-term sustainability.
Chari's Emergency Relief Response exemplifies our unwavering dedication to providing immediate assistance and fostering resilience in the face of adversity. Through collaborative efforts and the generosity of our supporters, we aspire to be a source of comfort and aid for those experiencing the most challenging moments of their lives. Together, we can bring hope and help rebuild lives in times of crisis.
