Somalia’s worsening conflict, and UNICEF’s efforts to help its youngest victims, drew several headlines over the past month. The BBC, Voice of America and NPR covered UNICEF’s emergency appeal to help thousands of under-nourished Somali children. UNICEF's efforts in the conflict-ridden country have been hampered by serious funding shortfalls.
Background note: These news organizations deserve credit for illuminating the increasingly dire outlook for Somalia’s children. But the fate of these children is not a regular part of the news cycle. In fact, the BBC quotes UNICEF's Christian Balslev-Olesen saying that Somalia is the “forgotten crisis.”
The UN Integrated Regional Information Network spotlighted a UNICEF survey showing that only one in four Somali girls attend primary school. The report, released on the eve of International Women’s Day, was tempered with the positive news that school enrollment for girls in Somalia has increased threefold over the last 10 years.
Background note: UNICEF is helping Somali girls complete their education by, among other things, addressing inadequate sanitation facilities in schools.
In other Africa news, United Press International cited UNICEF’s warning that children in Sudan’s West Darfur region had gone missing in the wake of violence.
Background note: The Darfur conflict has claimed the lives of more than 200,000 people and driven at least 2.2 million from their homes. UNICEF is providing many interventions in Darfur, including immunizations, nutritional supplements and shelter.
Are you following the situation in Darfur or Somalia? What other crises should be getting more media attention? Do you believe there is a connection between news coverage and funding levels? What sorts of news stories do you think would be most effective in highlighting the plight of children in Somalia and Darfur?
Comments (2)
I was glad to know that Clay Aiken has traveled to Somalia and cannot wait until he lets us all know about what he saw and what he learned. I think that we all tend to forget this region and it is a crime. So glad that Clay could visit there.
Posted by Bette Lewis | June 25, 2008 12:30 PM
Posted on June 25, 2008 12:30
i think that all of the things that are being done are very beneficial for many people but it is not the main problem. Currently, in Somalia, there is a big food crisis and there are hardly anybody there to help. Many lives are being taken away to the starvation and i think that the thing that the people would benefit the most is the essentials for life. Food and shelter are very scarce and there should be an effort made to help. Education is good for a person to have but it is a want and not a need.
Posted by Sarah | June 26, 2008 1:32 PM
Posted on June 26, 2008 13:32