Stories
January 22, 2026 • 2 min read
When conflict forced 26-year-old Ngerek Kor to flee her home in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, she lost nearly everything, her home, her livelihood, and contact with her husband. Settling in Ethiopia’s Terkidi Refugee Camp, she struggled to care for her two children amid hardship and uncertainty. When her youngest, 3-year-old Nyabuay, became critically ill, Ngerek sought help at GOAL’s Stabilization Centre. With timely medical and nutritional support, Nyabuay recovered, giving the family renewed hope for the future.
Since 2014, GOAL Ethiopia has been providing integrated health and nutrition services across refugee camps in the Gambela region, home to thousands of South Sudanese refugees. With generous funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), GOAL supports vulnerable families by offering life-saving treatment for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and related illnesses.
A Family Torn Apart by Conflict
For Ngerek Kor, 30, life in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State once offered stability. Her family’s cattle grazed freely across the lush, swampy grasslands, and fishing provided a steady source of food. “What more could we ask for when milk flows from the kraal, and fish are plentiful?” she recalled.
That peace was shattered when armed conflict erupted in her community. As violence escalated, Ngerek fled, while her husband, Paul Coin, stayed behind. “The journey was long and frightening,” she said. “We crossed swamps, rivers, and forests taller than us. We just kept walking, hoping to find safety.”
After days of travel, Ngerek reached Ethiopia’s Terkidi Refugee Camp in Gambela. Though she had escaped immediate danger, life in the camp brought new challenges, separation, uncertainty, and the daily struggle to meet her family’s needs.
Life-Saving Support for a Critically Ill Child
In September 2025, Ngerek’s 3-year-old daughter, Nyabuay Chole, fell seriously ill. “At first, she had a fever and lost her appetite,” Ngerek recalled. “Then she became weaker and stopped playing or moving much.”
Fearing for her child’s life, Ngerek brought Nyabuay to GOAL’s Stabilisation Centre in Terkidi Refugee Camp, where GOAL provides life-saving health and nutrition services with PRM’s support.
“She was very weak when she arrived,” said Saba Abebe, GOAL’s Health and Nutrition Officer. “Our examination showed she had malaria, anaemia, and severe acute malnutrition. We immediately admitted her for intensive treatment and close follow-up.”
Over the next few weeks, Nyabuay received therapeutic feeding, medical care, and constant monitoring from GOAL’s dedicated health staff.
A Child’s Recovery and a Mother’s Relief
After consistent care and follow-up, Nyabuay’s condition improved dramatically. She regained strength, began eating well, and was eventually discharged from inpatient care to continue recovery as an outpatient.
“We are so happy that she recovered,” said Dagim Biratu, Project Manager at Terkidi Refugee Camp. “This success was made possible through the generous support of PRM and the commitment of our health team. We are grateful for this partnership, which enables us to continue serving the most vulnerable members of the refugee community.”
