{Clay has blogged his Field Notes at UNICEF.com
photos, courtesy of UNICEF.com
I recently returned from a UNICEF field visit that took me to northwest Somalia. What I saw there was both amazing and heartbreaking. In many ways, the children I was able to meet are doing better than their counterparts in the rest of Somalia. But in other respects, the situation there is still quite serious.
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| © US Fund for UNICEF / 2008 / Nick Ysenburg |
| UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken with children he met on his recent visit to Somalia. |
For starters, the lack of a permanent central government has contributed to Somalia's status as one of the poorest and most volatile countries in the world. Decades of civil conflict have shattered social structures and exacerbated poverty.
In such conditions—combined with an extremely arid environment and difficult terrain with settlements scattered over vast distances—a Somali child's chances of surviving to adulthood are among the lowest of children anywhere in the world.
Fortunately, UNICEF is there. It has been on the ground since 1972 and is the humanitarian organization with the largest presence in Somalia.
Since the collapse of the Somali government in 1991, UNICEF has continued to provide services to children and women in Somalia.
In Hargeisa, I visited UNICEF-supported schools and hospitals, as well as places girls are able to learn about leadership, get life-skills and play sports. I also visited UNICEF-supported maternal and child health clinics to observe some nutritional feeding and immunization activities. The good news is that these programs are working in the northwest and keeping children alive. The bad news is that one in eight children still dies before his or her fifth birthday in Somalia.
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| © US Fund for UNICEF / 2008 / Nick Ysenburg |
One of the most incredible things I learned on my trip is that there are only 350 doctors left in the entire country, mostly because of the violence and insecurity. And many of these doctors are older than the average life expectancy in Somalia, which is only 45. I can't help but wonder, what is going to happen in a couple of years when there are no more doctors? What will happen to the children who struggle to survive?
What disturbs me most about this terrible situation for children is that most of the world has ignored it. Millions of children live in fear and poverty—where is the outrage?
At least we know something can be done. Help UNICEF save and improve the lives of children in Somalia. Donate online, right now.
Donate UNICEF
I wasn't going to do what everyone else was blogging about, but after watching these videos today, I changed my mind.
IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO REPEAT THE APPEAL FOR DONATIONS.
THANKS FOR WHAT YOU CAN GIVE TO UNICEF, TO HELP THE CHILDREN, AND TO HELP STOP THEIR SUFFERING.
IT HAS TO STOP, AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN ALL BAND TOGETHER TO HELP THEM. We are a pretty prosperous country, the USofA, and if we can shovel out $4-6 for a cup of Starbucks, surely we can donate for medicines, and mosquito nets, and especially clean water.
June 16th,2008 Day of the African Child..... UNICEF
Donate NOW
They need the help NOW!
Thanks for what you can do!!
Donate UNICEF
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'Warning~ This video is very graphic, but it is 'Their Reality'. Please watch it with caution.
Give Thanks for what we have....ApollosPlace
Open your hearts, and open your wallets. UNICEF is there on the ground in all kinds of treacherous conditions, life threatening conditions, and need us backing their efforts financially.
Donate UNICEF
EVERY CHILD......UNICEF
They need so much, and have so litte. We in the USofA, have so much, and need so little.
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