Stark Situation in Somalia

August 11th, 2011

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Category: Miscellaneous

Famine in AfricaIn drought-stricken Somalia, United Nations declared famine among 12 million struggling men, women and children, as the UN aggressively reached out to its allies in a $2.5 billion plea for help. More than 29,000 children under the age of five have died in southern Somalia over the last 90 days, as 640,000 acutely malnourished children remain startlingly close to the brink of death due to drought and famine, with little to no relief in sight. Gunfights and security problems at aid stations only heightened problems—with 10 people killed from the fallout.

“One of the reasons to be here is just to ask Americans and people worldwide, the global community, the human family, if they could just reach a little deeper into their pockets and give money to help these poor people, these poor mothers and children,” said the Vice President’s wife Jill Biden, who met with top Somalian government figures, two Somalian mothers and their eight children during a recent trip to the troubled area.

According to latest statistics from the Financial Tracking Service, the donations being made for the drought and famine relief varies greatly by country. Russia pledged $1 million, while China pledged $14 million. Japan pledged $96 million and the United Kingdom responded with $200 million. The Obama Administration approved $565 million in humanitarian aid to help bridge the gap to the $1.25 billion in assistance that’s still needed.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney stated the money will provide food, shelter and water, as well as fund sanitation and health services. Funds will also help supply displacement camps in Mogadishu.

While many underestimate the devastation of the Somalian situation, Raj Shah, a USAID administrator accompanying Mrs. Biden, said hundreds of thousands of children will likely die from the worsening conditions. However, the world possesses a unique opportunity to expand humanitarian activities inside Somalia and save tens of thousands of children’s lives, Shah said.

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