Protection of Children Is Critical Amid Escalating Conflict in Somalia
(January 12, 2007) - Throughout the country of Somalia, and the South in particular, children are suffering the consequences of a triple humanitarian crisis: drought, flooding and now an escalation of conflict.
For more than 16 years, rival clans have been at war within Somalia, and 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. In recent weeks, factionalism has reached new heights, particularly in and around the capital, Mogadishu, as control of the city has shifted.
UNICEF is especially concerned that children are being recruited and forced to fight by all parties to the conflict and increased numbers of people are being displaced. Children and women are being killed and wounded in the violence, some children have been separated from their families and school attendance has plummeted.
Over two million Somalis, or one-quarter of the population, have already been affected by a searing two-year drought and subsequent flooding. Together with the psychological trauma of war, children are now at even greater risk of disease while access by humanitarian agencies to the vulnerable is increasingly more difficult.
What UNICEF is doing
To support the growing number of internally displaced people, UNICEF has already begun shipments of relief items, including blankets, collapsible jerrycans for carrying water, plastic sheeting, sanitation tool kits (spades, rakes, wheelbarrows etc.), as well as emergency medicine and nutrition.
UNICEF's team in Mogadishu and partner organizations are working with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) to obtain guarantees on the security and the smooth running of relief operations. Although the situation in the city itself was initially relatively calm, the last few days have seen an upturn in the level of violence that has included alleged assassinations, several demonstrations ending violently and at least one attack.
Reports indicate that a number of children who have been fighting on frontlines are struggling to make their way home and will require assistance. UNICEF is continuing to try to mobilize partners to conduct a detailed situation assessment of the number of separated children, but security issues continue to constrain this effort. Psycho-social programs continue to suffer from same constraint.
Mines and other unexploded ordnance are of increasing concern, as reports suggest some stockpiling in highly populated areas, particularly in Mogadishu and Kismayo, compounding the risk of death/injury to children. Various military forces have left former defensive positions heavily mined, as well.
An uncertain future
While the prospect of a centralized government brings opportunities, any continuation of the conflict would do much to compromise the modest gains that have been achieved by the Somalis with the support of the international community over the past 16 years. Until peace and stability have taken hold in the cities and at the borders, there remain huge challenges that stand in the way of a safe future for Somalia's children.
