Some 20.2 million children are threatened by hunger, thirst and severe disease – compared with 10 million in July – as climate change, conflict, global inflation and grain shortages wane. destroy the area.
“Although collective and accelerated efforts have mitigated some of the worst effects of what was feared, children in the Horn of Africa are still facing the most severe drought in years. more than two generations”, stated UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for East and South Africa Lieke van de Wiel.
Millions of hungry people
An estimated two million children across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia need urgent treatment for severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form of hunger.
Meanwhile, water insecurity has more than doubled with nearly 24 million people now facing severe water shortages.
At the same time, the drought has displaced more than two million people within the country and caused some 2.7 million children to miss school, along with four million others at risk of dropping out.
“Humanitarian assistance must continue to save the lives and build resilience of the staggering number of children and families who are being pushed to the brink – dying of hunger and disease and displaced to find find food, water and pasture for their livestock,” said van de Wiel.
Growing on the edge
As rising tensions are pushing families to the brink, young people are facing child labor, child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
Food insecurity and widespread displacement are fueling sexual violence, exploitation, abuse and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV).
The UNICEF senior official continued: “We need a global effort to urgently mobilize resources to alleviate further and irreversible damage to children in the Horn of Africa. Africa”.
On hand to lend a hand
Thanks to the generous support of donors and partners, UNICEF continues to deliver lifesaving services to children and families across the Horn of Africa, while preparing for the next shocks, building build resilience and strengthen key services.
This year, the United Nations agency and its partners reached nearly two million children and women with essential health care services; nearly two million children between the ages of 6 months and 15 years are vaccinated against measles; and provide safe water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene to more than 2.7 million people.
UNICEF’s 2023 emergency call for $759 million to support children and their families who will need timely and flexible funding, particularly in education, water and sanitation, and protection child protection – all of which are severely in short supply this year.
An additional $690 million is needed to support long-term investments for children and their families in climate change resilience and adaptation.
“As governments and people around the world prepare to welcome the New Year, we call on the international community to commit to responding now to what may happen in the Horn of Africa next year and in the years to come”, Ms. van de Wiel urged.
“We must act now to save children’s lives, preserve their dignity and protect their future.”
