Horn of Africa

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On 9 July, a woman and several children walk through a dust storm to their tent, in an area for new arrivals in the Dagahaley refugee camp in North Eastern Province, near the Kenya-Somalia border. The camp is among three that comprise the Dadaab camps, lo

Kenya

UNICEF/NYHQ2011-1019/KATE HOLT

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A Global Response to Save Children from Hunger

Following one of the worst droughts in recent memory, an unprecedented humanitarian aid operation unfolded in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, UNICEF and partners helped save the lives of countless children suffering from hunger, malnutrition and disease in the region and reverse the famine in Somalia.

As encouraging as these results are, the humanitarian crisis is far from over. Drought and desertification continue to threaten the region. As of September 2018, more than 680,000 children under the age of five are in need of treatment for severe acute malnutrition in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Fast Fact

13

million

By September 2011, more than 13 million people in the Horn were in need of humanitarian assistance.

63

thousand

UNICEF and its partners delivered 63,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid including 31,500 tons of therapeutic food.

1

million

In 2011, UNICEF and its partners treated more than 1 million children for severe acute malnutrition.

1.5

million

UNICEF and its partners immunized 1.5 million children against deadly diseases in Somalia.

2.3

million

In 2014, 2.3 million people in Somalia are still extremely vulnerable to food shortages.

Ismail, 1, is severely malnourished. He is being screened at a UNICEF supported mobile therapeutic feeding clinic in Doolow, Somalia.

Strategic Response

UNICEF used strong relationships with governments and NGOs to help avert a catastrophe in the Horn.

Kenya, June 2011. Children receiving general education at the AMREF centre for vulnerable children which UNICEF supports in Dagoretti.

Famine Loosens Grip on Horn of Africa

More than 2 million children were provided with emergency nutrition.

Kenya, June 2011. Korogocho slum, Nairobi. Young girl holds a baby.

Progress at Risk

Three years after the crisis, millions of people still need assistance.

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