MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Lack of funding may compromise ongoing efforts to save lives
“In spite of the fact that there have been increasing attacks against humanitarian workers in the past few weeks and the situation continues to deteriorate, UNICEF is committed to working with our partners on the ground to ensure that we are there when the children of Somalia need us,” said Balslev Olesen.
His remarks came during a press conference to launch UNICEF's Humanitarian Action Report for 2008 at a time when funding for key lifesaving interventions has yet to be received.
“Funding shortfalls will have a devastating impact on our ability to save lives,” he added, ”Without immediate funding, at least half of the existing feeding centres we support will not have the food and supplies needed to continue operating at a time when we should be increasing coverage.“
Global acute malnutrition rates in
Funds to Save Lives
According to Balslev Olesen, UNICEF requires at least US $ 5.8 million within the coming weeks to treat children at risk of dying from malnutrition. These funds will be used to keep 110 partner-operated feeding centres functional.
In addition, to prevent deaths from cholera and diarrhoea, UNICEF needs at least US $ 3.1 million for safe water provision and hygiene promotion to over 200,000 internally displaced people along the Afgoye corridor.
To complement these life-saving interventions, UNICEF needs funds to ensure that out-of-school displaced children continue to learn, to develop and are kept out of harm’s way. In
The Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis
Somali children and women face one of the most difficult battles for survival and development in the world. Last year (2007) was an exceedingly difficult one for them, coming after a year of floods and drought (2006) and turning into a year of violence, insecurity and uncertainty, with unprecedented number of families fleeing
Generous humanitarian funding in 2007 allowed UNICEF to ensure enough nutrition supplies until April 2008 as well as to purchase lifesaving oral rehydration salts and chlorine to treat water sources in areas that typically see cholera outbreaks.
“Due to the generous backing of donors, our partners were able to treat 80,000 children under five for acute malnutrition last year, “said Balslev Olesen, “as well as vaccinate over 450,000 against measles, provide 230,000 flood victims and suspected cholera cases with increased access to safe drinking water, avert a major outbreak of cholera and enable 26,000 displaced children in the central-south to continue their education.”
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Denise Shepherd-Johnson: Communication Chief: +254 722 719 867, [email protected]
Misbah M. Sheikh: Emergency Communication: +254 727 534 713, [email protected]
Veronique Taveau: UNICEF
Amalia Navarro: UNICEF
UNICEF
Patrick McCormick: UNICEF Media New York: 1 212 326 7426, [email protected]