Children in Somalia Facing Severe Malnutrition

According to a UNICEF press release issued on Wednesday, September 12, UNICEF and its partners estimate that 83,000 children in central and southern Somalia suffer from malnutrition - 13,500 of whom are severely malnourished and at risk of dying.

"These children urgently require attention to ensure that they survive,” said UNICEF Representative to Somalia Christian Balslev-Olesen. “UNICEF is very concerned that their numbers might increase with continued civil strife, limited humanitarian access to these areas, food insecurity and a depressed economy,” he added.  Read more...

Comments

[Grace Warren]

I believe this hunger crisis happening in Somalia is very unfortunmate. For 83,000 poeple to be malnutrition and 13,500 with a severe degree of malnutrtion. With the money that the US raises and gives to them treats 15,000 malnutrition children. So obviously they need more assistance and with a hugh flood coming there way will be a teagedy if they dont get it as soon as possible. Then again I believe there is more money going out to them by church organizations and celeb's. America has literally given out so much money and food to other countries we have forgotten about the homeless in this country. So I believe the churches there should raise money for there people and help make it easier on those familes as the US does when we have a tragic time.

[JacquiSpilar]

Malnutrition isn't something that I usually think about on a daily basis. I don't believe that the majority of americans think about malnutrition on a daily basis. To find out that there are that many children in one country that are starving is heart breaking. I think that it really makes people think about their lifestyles and how much food they waste everyday or every week hearing this. The average person may not think that they could help in this situation. But the truth is, no matter how much money you give, whether its 5 dollars or 50,000 dollars, your helping someone eat for a day or a week or maybe even a month. It's worth every penny.

[Amanda Miller]

I find this extremely sad that 83,000 children suffer from malnutrition and 13,500 are severely malnourished and at risk of dying. These numbers are huge, no child should have to suffer from malnutrition but 83,000 is way too many. We all know hunger exists yet few try to do anything to help stop it. People need to stop and think about how they would feel if that was their child who was starving and at a risk of dying. Maybe then they would be more willing to donate even a few dollars. No one is asking that you donate millions of dollars just a few dollars would help. Yes the U.S. is having its own financial problems right now but a few dollars to a child starving will be worth a lot more to them than it would be to us.

[Pat M]

Children no matter where they are should not have to suffer like this. This malnutrition leads to many things. The worst obvioulsy being death but others like learning disabilities. It is really sad to see this many children in this condition.

[Sha'ylon Davis]

When i think about children being malnournished it really breaks my heart. Yes i feel bad for anybody that doesnt have enough food but i think its 10 times worse if a child has to go through such a horrible thing. We as Americans need to seriously do something about this because we would want help if it was us.

[Soraya]

It is hard to think that anyone, especially innocent children who have barely had a chance in the world, suffer so much. Though it happens more often than not, children... no person should have to suffer of malnutrition. It's even sadder that it is the powerful countries that could have the power to really help, have escalated the problem. These companies should take responsibility to help solve the problem.

[Noelle Lucia Vinciguerra]

This hunger problem in Somalia is very important and needs to be recognized. It was said that over 83,000 children are facing severe malnutrition and 17 percent of children under five years of age are facing malnutrition factors. This is so sad to read about and the numbers are only increasing, maybe something like a canned food drive can be done for them. That would be a blessing for them and I am sure they would appreciate the help. I believe that one day world hunger will be resolved but until then let's all try to lend out that helping hand they need.