Somalia: Refugee Numbers in Camps ‘Unacceptably’ High

By Henry Neondo

NAIROBI---The number of people affected with famine inside Somalia has doubled to 750,000 since July, the UN has announced. So dire is their conditions that the visiting UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador Youssou N’Dour termed the conditions; “unacceptable”.

“With the resources and knowledge available in the world today, I find it intolerable that we see these emergencies occurring time and time again,” said N’Dour.

Addressing the press after his tour of the Dadaab refugee camps in north-eastern Kenya, N’Dour called upon African leaders to find lasting solutions to the repeated cycle of crisis, after meeting families affected by the drought in the Horn of Africa.

He stressed the need for a collective effort, involving African leaders and local communities, to prevent the annual cycle of drought and disease in the region.

“Having looked into the faces and listened to the voices of those caught up in this tragedy, I find it unacceptable that I am confronted by such stories of suffering and despair in this day and age,” he said.

“There must be an indivertible and undivided focus on what is happening to children here in the Horn of Africa. Each of us has a role to play in responding to the urgent needs of these children, and doing whatever is necessary to prevent this happening again.”

During his visit to the refugee camps, Mr. N’Dour saw first-hand the treatment of severely malnourished children, immunization efforts and schools that opened this week in the camps.

“I am confident that humanitarian agencies are doing everything they can to reach those who need their help,” said Mr. N’Dour. “We have a responsibility to do all that we can so that every child can be reached, their immediate needs are met, their health is safeguarded and that they are protected from all harm.”