Somali children suffering malnutrition have increased by 11 percent over the past six months, to reach nearly 180,000, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

 The internally displaced persons (IDP) concentration areas are among the most at risk of malnutrition, according to UNICEF. The prolonged conflict and civil insecurity in Mogadishu and its surrounding areas have led to an influx of displaced people into temporary settlements across the country.

Afgoye hosts one of the biggest IDP settlements with a population exceeding 300,000 people. Analyses indicate that the nutrition situation in Afgoye is critical, and is further complicated by limited access because of the security situation.

Northern parts of Somalia are also hit hard by the deteriorating nutrition conditions, worsened by skyrocketing food prices and the devaluation of the Somali shilling. The urban poor and displaced are the most vulnerable populations, with thousands of families from the conflict-affected south forced to seek temporary refuge in the northern parts of the country.

Starting in August and throughout the remainder of the year, UNICEF and partners will provide rations of 10 kilo of UNIMIX a month per child to about 7,500 under-five children in Bossaso IDP camps, as well as to children in Garowe and Galkayo camps, combined with a therapeutic feeding program for severely malnourished children.

"So far we have been lucky to be strongly backed by our donors. However, with the recent increase in malnutrition rates and the need for accelerated humanitarian assistance, more funds are required for us to continue and expand our programs effectively," said Christian Balslev-Olesen, UNICEF Representative to Somalia.

Source: Xinhua, July 26, 2008


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