China donates $2m to UNICEF to bolster drought relief efforts in Somalia

By T. Roble

Chinese government Tuesday donated $2 million to the UN children’s agency UNICEF to aid 15,000 children from severe acute malnutrition, in the southern and central regions Somalia.

While handing over the donation to UNICEF in Mogadishu, Chinese ambassador to Somalia Qin Jian said his government was committed to contributing to relief efforts in the country noting through UNICEF, affected populations can be reached for support.

“Through UNICEF, we hope to reach the affected populations, especially those in remote places, with lifesaving services,” Jian. “We are committed to supporting the humanitarian response led by the Somali Government, and pleased to be working with UNICEF to ensure the needs of the most vulnerable group – children and women – are met. Together, we can to help the Somali people go through this difficult time.”

The donation comes amid biting drought in the country which continues to affect millions of Somalis countrywide with children among the most affected. A communique last week from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management noted that malnutrition levels had reached emergency levels in several locations, mainly among displaced populations.

“Overall, some 388,000 acutely malnourished children need critical nutrition support, including life-saving treatment for more than 87,000 severely malnourished children,” the government said.

UNICEF said Tuesday in a statement through implementing partners it had provided treatment for severe acute malnutrition to over 200,000 nearly all of whom recovered. Over the next year, UNICEF estimates there could be more than 230,000 children with severe acute malnutrition, UNICEF said.

The UN body noted the funding from Chinese government will help treat the 15,000 children with a therapeutic peanut-based paste.

UNICEF country Representative Steven Lauwerier said international response had helped stave off famine but sustained assistance remained critical to prevent loss of lives.

“Thanks to the generous joint response by the international community, we have managed to avert a famine so far,” said Lauwerier. “However, sustained assistance is needed throughout 2018 to prevent the loss of lives and the collapse of livelihoods.

The timely aid from the Chinese Government and the Chinese people will go a long way towards saving children’s lives. We hope this will be the beginning of a long and productive partnership between China and UNICEF in Somalia, Lauwerier added.