Somali kids in danger as malnutrition persists
MOGADISHU, (CAJ News) – MORE than 294 000 acutely malnourished children are among some 1,5 million people facing a serious food security crisis in Somalia.
The food insecurity is prevalent among populations who lost most of their animals and who became destitute during the 2016-2017 severe drought, flooding in April and May 2018 and others who were affected by large-scale and protracted displacement due to a combination of conflict and natural hazards.
The current total population of internally displaced people (IDPs) across the East African country is 2,6 million. Somalia’s population is estimated at over 1 million people.
According to the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET), urgent treatment and nutrition support is needed for approximately 294 200 acutely malnourished children, including 55 200 who severely malnourished between now and December 2018.
Integrated support interventions should be sustained to maintain recent improvements as well as prevent further deterioration in the nutrition situation.
The effects of the floods and cyclone Sagar still exists in Somalia. The cyclone claimed the lives of 55 people.
Insecurity continues to hamper partners’ access to the rural parts of the country.
The effects of floods have led to the increased cases of vector borne diseases including malaria.
Somalia, which is affected by the terrorism perpetrated by the Islamist Al-Shabaab, is also enduring an outbreak of cholera.
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