Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Somalia Still Suffering From Malnutrition Despite Relative Decline

UN office: Somalia still suffering from malnutrition despite relative decline

Abdulaziz Billow, Press TV, Mogadishu
Tue Aug 27, 2013 11:22PM GMT

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (O-C-H-A) in Somalia has announced a slight improvement in fighting malnutrition in the country. The body says malnutrition has decreased by 23% in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2012.

O-C-H-A attributes the improvement to several factors among them, a general progress in the socio-economic environment, continued humanitarian assistance, and more access to various parts of the country.

O-C-H-A, however, warns that malnutrition is still above emergency levels among internally displaced people also known as IDP’s. Somalia has witnessed its worst famine in six decades with the U-N estimating that half a million Somalis have lost their lives since 2011.

Findings by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit also shows malnutrition among IDP’s has deteriorated in Hargeysa, the second-largest city in the country.

Meanwhile, O-C-H-A says it is hopeful that malnutrition continues to decrease across the famine-ravaged nation thanks to more food supplies and less occurrence of waterborne diseases.

Last year, the United Nations launched its three-year humanitarian appeal for Somalia. It hopes to raise $1.3 billion for humanitarian projects for 3.8 million Somalis in need.

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