By Jon Warren, World Vision photographer
Here in the United States, malaria is often merely thought of as an exotic, foreign disease that was eradicated from our nation in 1951.
But when asked to describe malaria in one word, a nurse at Karawa General Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had this to say:
“Killer.”
Nicole wrapped her son, Yangana, 3, in a wet cloth to bring down his 104-degree fever, and held him patiently as he cried in pain while receiving a blood transfusion at Karawa General Hospital. "Malaria is what makes people weak," she said. "It gives belly pains. The baby can't eat. I don't have words to say (that can describe the disease)."
The hospital administrator said that 80 percent of the local population carries the disease. My assignment last week was to document the needs of children in the region, because World Vision is considering working in the Karawa area.
Malaria dominated almost every situation I covered. Here is a glimpse of what it looks and feels like…
(View the rest of Jon’s powerful photos on the World Vision Blog).
