38 000 Somali children malnourished: UN report

According to a United Nations Food Security Report released on Thursday, at least 38 000 children are severely malnourished and face a high risk of morbidity and death in Somalia.
More than 700 000 people in Somalia, most of them internally displaced are in need of food assistance.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), 200 000 are faced with acute malnutrition.

The UN warns that although there have been improvements in the food security situation due to good rains in the last season; the humanitarian situation in the country remains a concern.

At least 38 000 children are severely malnourished and face a high risk of morbidity and death, according to a United Nations Food Security Report released on Thursday.

FAO Head in Somalia, Rudi Van Aaken says, “Yes, these people cannot cope without humanitarian assistance, we will need to continue with our efforts there in terms of food aid, cash aid and broader livelihood support.”

Four years ago, more than 250 000 people, half of them children, died in a devastating famine.

UN agencies operating inside Somalia, estimate that $863 million will be needed to save lives, as well as provide long lasting solutions to the recurrent food security problems.

FAO warns that any complacency from the donor community will see Somalia slide back to a hunger crisis in effect jeopardising recent historic peace and state-building gains.
Source: Reuters