James Elder on the effects of aid cuts on the survival of children and women in Somalia: shared by Niloufar
This is what aid cuts look like in Somalia - empty beds in a health centre, pregnant women and newborns unable to access healthcare.Walk with UNICEF’s James Elder to understand just how much we’re losing.
Globally, if current trends continue, 27.3 million children will die in the world before their fifth birthday by 2030 – nearly half of them newborns.
We call for urgent funding of children’s health in Somalia and around the world.
James Elder’s account is disturbing. Closing health and nutrition facilities when children are arriving malnourished has consequences.
ReplyDeleteBut donor cuts are only part of the story. Somalia’s federal and regional authorities must answer for how they protect health services, use public funds and enable aid to reach those in need. Many armed groups are responsible for violence and displacement. Outside powers have pursued their own interests, often to the detriment of Somalia's children
Children should not pay for these failures. We should press donors to protect effective lifesaving programmes and demand accountability from Somalia’s leaders and everyone else whose actions prolong this crisis.
Somalia has been aid-dependent for a long time, with a health budget mainly financed by foreign aid. This aid should not be cut without warning and a plan. Here is a good article by a Somali economist, worth reading: (click) Can-Somalias economy finally learn to stand on its own?. Somali authorities (and well-wishing donors) should their resources to building Somalia's economy.
ReplyDeleteQuite honestly, the customary sad story thing and passing the buck and that if money was not a problem, kids wouldn’t have any problems, doesn’t sound as appealing any longer, as it did, perhaps, didn’t some point 20 to 30 years ago. Teach the new humanitarians something different!
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