UN calls for urgent action to protect Somali children

A new United Nations report released Monday shows that the situation of children in Somalia is improving but much more needs to be done.

The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) report titled, “The Situation Analysis of Children in Somalia 2016,” says that more children are surviving and have access to healthcare, water, and food in the Somalia environment than in previous years.

“Over 300,000 children under the age of five are acutely malnourished,” said UNICEF Somalia Representative Steven Lauwerier.

UNICEF Representative in Somalia Steven Lauwerier has called for concerted efforts particularly in government to given precedence to the welfare of children in all its policies.

Noting the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child last year by Somalia as a remarkable step, Lauwerier called for full implementation of the provisions of the Convention adding the future of Somali children is dependent on the government’s commitment to actualizing the Convention.

“Somalia’s success in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals will depend largely on how well it is doing to fulfill the promises made to Somali children,” said Lauwerier.