UNICEF says many children may die from drought in Somalia
UNICEF has warned that an unprecedented number of children are likely to die in drought stricken, famine prone Somalia if the international community delays at providing lifesaving assistance.
UNICEF revealed that Somalia has endured four consecutive years of failed rains and is facing a possible fifth season of
drought. This has destroyed peoples’ ability to feed themselves, forcing millions to uproot themselves in search of something to eat and essential basic relief.
The number of malnourished children is skyrocketing. In August alone, it reports that 44,000 children with severe, acute, malnutrition were admitted to health facilities for emergency treatment.
Speaking from Dolow, Somalia, UNICEF spokesman James Elder said this means a child is admitted to a health care facility every single minute of every single day.
Many people are prevented from getting the help they need because of ongoing instability in the country and the dangers posed by the Islamist militant al-Shabab group. UNICEF is deploying mobile teams to find and treat malnourished children in hard-to-reach locations.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that 7.8 million people in Somalia are affected by the drought, including more than 1.1. million displaced people.
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