Forced Suspension of World Vision Leaves Thousands of Lives in Jeopardy in Somalia
Author: WORLD VISION CANADA
Published: 2010-08-16 : (Rev. 2013-07-12)
Synopsis and Key Points:
Children in Somalia were receiving vital nutritional feeding before it was forced to suspend operations by militant group Al-Shabaab.
Main Digest
Last week's suspension of World Vision programs in south central Somalia will mean almost certain starvation for thousands of children, the aid agency said today.More than 3,400 children were receiving vital nutritional feeding from the organization before it was forced to suspend its operations last week by militant group Al-Shabaab.
World Vision says that last week alone, they had 51 severely malnourished children admitted to their stabilization centers and they are now concerned about the fate of these children.
A quarter of a million women and newborn children are also facing an uncertain future with the closure of nine mother and child healthcare centers and 162 health posts across the affected regions, leaving them with no access to vital, primary healthcare.
Hundreds of patients (227) were being treated for TB in another program and World Vision says interrupting their treatment at this critical time in their recovery puts them at high risk of the disease gathering strength, in a drug-resistant form.
Suspension of livelihood programs will further exacerbate the vulnerability of more than one million people who were dependent on ongoing World Vision projects for their economic survival.
Ongoing conflict in Somalia has heavily restricted humanitarian space for aid agencies over the past few years, and this latest closure is a further blow to those already suffering the most.
World Vision says that there is no unilateral solution to the problems in Somalia and lasting development and peace building will only be viable if leadership for them comes from indigenous and acceptable Somali process.
"In a country where one out of every seven children dies before their fifth birthday, and one mother in every hundred dies during pregnancy or childbirth, the situation is a big blow to the vulnerable. Given the humanitarian cost of our programs being suspended, we want to get back in and to work as soon as possible"
Chris Smoot, Program Director, World Vision Somalia
"All those involved in this conflict must observe international humanitarian law, and ensure protection and care for the vulnerable. The children of Somalia deserve nothing less than a peaceful environment"
Chris Smoot, Program Director, World Vision Somalia
Facts:
World Vision has been working in Somalia since 1992.
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome extreme poverty and injustice, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender.
Related Documents
- 1: Namibia: Leave No One Behind (LNOB) Creating Access for All : Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) (2020/04/30)
- 2: Seriousness of Covid-19 Pandemic in Africa : The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) (2020/03/19)
- 3: Humanitarian Crisis in the Sahel : The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) (2019/11/06)
- 4: Climate Change Likely to be More Deadly in Poor African Settlements : Johns Hopkins University (2017/11/13)
- 5: Youth with Disabilities Resolve to Affirm Their Identity : Youth Day Disability Awareness Event (2018/06/20)
- 6: South Africa: Youth Disability to Attract Focus on Youth Day : Youth Day Disability Awareness Event (2018/06/12)
- 7: People With Disabilities Abused and Exploited in Somaliland : Amnesty International (2015/10/27)
Important:
• Disabled World is strictly a news and information website provided for general informational purpose only and does not constitute medical advice. Materials presented are in no way meant to be a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Any 3rd party offering or advertising on disabled-world.com does not constitute endorsement by Disabled World. Please report outdated or inaccurate information to us.