One child is hospitalized every minute due to severe malnutrition, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF.
Monsignor Joji Vadakara, Vatican City
Children in Somalia are suffering from severe malnutrition, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF. Last August alone, nearly 44,000 children were admitted to hospitals due to health problems caused by malnutrition. According to this, one child reaches the hospitals almost every minute.
Children who are severely malnourished are eleven times more likely than other children to die from related illnesses such as diarrhea and measles, according to UNICEF. Somalia is on the brink of the worst crisis the country has seen in the last ten years.
Mothers walk for days to bring their children to hospitals. Astonishing numbers of children suffering from malnutrition are coming out. Terrorism and intimidation against volunteers continue to prevent civilians from reaching hospitals.
UNICEF is sending mobile teams to help the children in these places and is trying to reach the children and help them at their place of residence. UNICEF has already helped nearly three lakh children suffering from severe malnutrition. In the last three months alone, UNICEF has been able to provide emergency water to nearly five lakh people.
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder announced these things at a press conference held on October 18 at the Palace of Nations in Geneva.