Animal Attacks

Abdella and Jelata recovering from surgery

In Harar, hyenas are a menace especially during droughts when, desperate for food and water, these predators go foraging in areas inhabited by humans.

Abdella (pictured left, with Jelata) was attacked by a hyena while he played football. He was found later by a policeman, alive – but only just. His face and scalp had been torn, and his skull was badly injured. His parents took him to the nearest hospital but abandoned him after two days, afraid that they wouldn’t be able to care for a disabled child.

The hospital cared for him and enrolled him at school – but was unable to treat his injuries. Project Harar provided access to medical care in Addis Ababa, which required a skin graft and multiple operations. His health and prospects in life have improved greatly. He is no longer in pain and at risk of infection, and his vision is not constrained by his scars.

Many more children are in Abdella’s situation. Our outreach team travel across eastern Ethiopia, an area half the size of France, working with local health workers to reach survivors and raise awareness of the treatment available. We arrange free transport to the hospital, accommodation and care. Surgeons in Addis Ababa, assisted by visiting specialists, perform extremely complex surgical procedures to improve facial function and appearance, giving animal attack victims a new chance in life.

It costs just £250 to reach an injured child and secure the complex operations and follow-up work which they require to rebuild their lives. If you can help, please click here.