Press releasesUNICEF issues press releases to inform on the agency's activities in Somalia. On this page are press releases from UNICEF and others issued by the UN and other organizations with a relevance to Somalia. Press releases are available for download in pdf or word version.
25-04-08: Proper diagnosis and treatment key to malaria control in Somalia, says UNICEF With an estimated 700,000 cases annually, malaria is a major public health problem in Somalia. For effective control of the disease it is crucial for diagnosis and treatment to be available, UNICEF Representative in Somalia Christian Balslev-Olesen said today on the occasion of World Malaria Day. For more on the issue read press release attached in Word below. [Word]
20-03-08: Adequate sanitation the key to curbing cholera in Somalia On the occasion of International Water Day, UNICEF Somalia Representative Christian Balslev-Olesen, highlights a known truth - suspected cholera outbreaks do not have to occur in Somalia on a periodic basis. The cycle can be broken through proper disposal of human waste, the use of latrines and hand washing with soap.Press release in Word below. [Word]
10-03-08: Centre provides relief from chronic malnutrition News background: A young boy's tale of recovery at a feeding centre in Jowhar, Central Somalia, provides optimism that the battle against malnutrition can be won. For more on the issue read the link: Centre provides relief from chronic malnutrition.
10-03-08: Tent schools help displaced children to learn News background: Along the Afgoye road to Mogadishu, temporary schools in tents provided by UNICEF are providing young Somalis with a sense of normalcy to enable them continue learning. For more on the issue read: Temporary schools bring a sense of normalcy to young Somalis displaced by conflict.
07-03-08: Girls' education will shape progress in Somalia, says UNICEF As the world marks International Women's Day, UNICEF says that though enrolment of girls in schools in Somalia has increased three-fold in the last decade, more still needs to be done because only one in four girls is getting a primary education. For Somalia to make progress, this situation needs to change says Christian Balslev-Olesen, UNICEF Somalia Representative. Press release in Word below. [Word]
12-02-08: UNICEF appeals for urgent funding for Somali children With close to two million Somalis in need of emergency humanitarian assistance, UNICEF Somalia Representative Christian Balslev-Olesen says funding shortfalls will have a devastating impact on the organization's ability to save lives. Read more in the press release below in Word. [Word]
18-12-07: UNICEF Executive Director speaks on state of children in Somalia An estimated 1.5 million children in Somalia are in dire need of humanitarian assistance as some of the worst fighting in decades devastates the country. For more on the issue follow the link: UNICEF Executive Director speaks on state of Somali children.
11-12-07: Somali girl yearns for peace and to be a pilot At the launch of the 2008 Consolidated Appeal Process for Somalia, a video highlighting the voices of children shows a young girl who wants to be a pilot. "I would like to go to school and become a pilot," said Fartoun Ibrahim, 14. " I am asking the world to help us." Read more in the press release in Word below. [Word]
7-12-07: UNICEF appeals for access to health services UNICEF has appealed to warring factions in Mogadishu to reduce the impact of conflict on children and women by allowing access across checkpoints to those in need of medical attention. For more information read the link: UNICEF appeals for checkpoint access to health services in Mogadishu.
5-12-07: UNICEF immunises 100,000 children and women in southern Somalia About 47,600 children aged less than five years and 56,000 women in southern Somalia receive critical lifesaving health interventions from UNICEF. For more on the issue read the link: UNICEF immunises 100,000 children and women in southern Somalia.
16-11-07: UNICEF assisting children and women displaced from Mogadishu Despite security and access limitations, UNICEF is working with partners to assist newly-displaced people from Mogadishu. For more on the issue read the link: UNICEF assisting children and women newly-displaced from Mogadishu.
21-09-2007 UNICEF encouraged by Mogadishu Meeting on Humanitarian Access The Somali Government has appealed to the United Nations to help the affected Populations in Somalia. Issues that require immediate attention are security and access to humanitarian aid for tens of thousands displaced by the ongoing insurgence in Somalia. Please see Press release in Word attached below. [Word]
12-09-2007 UNICEF warns of Critical Levels of Malnutrition amongst Somali Children UNICEF and its partners estimate that 83,000 children in central and southern Somalia suffer from malnutrition - 13,500 of whom are severely malnourished and are at risk of dying. Please see Press release in word attached below. [Word]
03-09-2007 UNICEF hails USAID donation of US$3.9 million for the forgotten children of Somalia UNICEF has received US$3.9 million from the United States Agency for International Development to ensure that children in Somalia continue having access to basic social services. Please see Press release in Word attached. [Word]
03-08-07: UNICEF calls for protection of Somali children UNICEF distressed at the impact of violence on children in Mogadishu calls for their protecton. For more on the issue read the link: UNICEF calls for protection of Somalia's children.
18-7-07: Somali religious leaders join fight against polio Forty religious leaders from Northeast Somalia ('Puntland') and forty religious leaders from Northwest Somalia ('Somaliland') have signed declarations of support for polio prevention and immunization. Press release in Word attached below. [Word]
08-03-07: Empower women to secure prosperity in Somalia, says UNICEF Communities in Somalia should be empowered to access knowledge and social services to ensure better livelihoods for women, UNICEF Somalia Representative, Christian Balslev-Olesen said on the occasion of International Women’s Day today. “Sustained efforts to provide knowledge, services and economic benefits are the best way to guarantee women a better future,” he said. Press release in Word below. [Word]
13-02-07: Despite insecurity UN responds to flood-related disease outbreak in Central Somalia Despite insecurity in Central/Southern Somalia, the UN is continuing to respond to the needs of people affected by an outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea, the consequence of recent flooding in the area. Though the flood water is receding, stagnant and contaminated water sources have provided a breeding ground for disease-causing organisms. Read more in the Press release attached in Word below. [Word]
06-02-07: UN decries deaths of children in Mogadishu conflict Forces involved in the Somalia conflict must engage in dialogue to avoid deaths of children and innocent civilians as happened last week when three children were killed in Mogadishu, UNICEF Somalia Representative, Christian Balslev-Olesen said on Monday, 5 February 2007. The security situation in Mogadishu has recently deteriorated. Press release in Word below. [Word]
12-01-07: End the suffering of Somali children, say bodies Peace and stability are urgently needed in Somalia to end the suffering of thousands of Somali children affected by the recent conflict, UNICEF and Save the Children UK said in a press release issued today. They said children have been victims of recent conflict and have featured prominently in fighting as active combatants. For more on the issue, read attached Press release in Word.. [Word]
4-01-07: UNICEF calls for immediate end to Somali conflict Children and women in Somalia are suffering from the violent conflict that has erupted in parts of the country, UNICEF said in a Press release issued on 22 December 2006 as it called for an immediate end to the fighting. Read more in Press release in Word below. [Word]
8-12-06: Unheard voices - Somali children speak out An opinion poll conducted in May 2006 among Somali children gives voice to their dreams, aspirations and opinions. The poll initiated by UNICEF in partnership with Africa Child Policy Forum is the first of its kind in Somalia: a country that has not known peace for close to 16 years. It sampled 286 boys and 245 girls aged between 9 and17 in Merca, Belet Weyne, Bossaso and Hargeisa. See PDF below. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
1-12-06: UNICEF assists 250,000 flood-hit Somalis UNICEF is assisting 250,000 people in urgent need of supplies, following floods that have hit Southern Somalia. Around 330,000 people have been directly affected by the floods along the Shabelle and Juba river valleys. Conditions deteriorated significantly on 10 November when heavy floods hit Belet Weyne town. In total, some 900,000 are estimated to be at risk. Press release in Word below.
[Word]
15-11-06: Floods displace thousands in Somalia The humanitarian crisis in southern Somalia is deepening, as the Shabelle and Juba Valley river basins are potentially facing one of the worst floods in recent history. Already 50,000 people were displaced by severe floods in Hiran region over the weekend, and serious floods are ongoing in parts of Middle and Lower Juba. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
23-06-06: Renewed calm in Mogadishu helps polio eradication efforts Recent calm allowed the humanitarian community to immunize 97% of children aged under five years in Mogadishu against polio. Some 290,406 children were immunized between 11 and 13 June, 2006 said Christian Balslev-Olesen, UNICEF Somalia Representative. Press release in pdf below. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
20-06-06: Somalia in bleakest malnutrition situation in years, say WFP and UNICEF Recent outbreaks of fighting and the worst drought in a decade have pushed many people in Somalia to their limit creating the bleakest malnutrition situation in years, say WFP and UNICEF in a Press release issued on the Day of the African Child. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
25-05-06: UN condemns resumption of fighting in Mogadishu The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia Francois Lonseny Fall has condemned the resumption of hostilities in Mogadishu as heavy fighting flared anew in the city. The ambassador said he was concerned at the cost to the civilian population and the wasting of opportunities to reconcile and reconstruct the country. Press release in PDF below. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
25-04-06: New malaria treatment introduced in Somalia A new effective treatment has been introduced in Somalia to curb the incidence of malaria which is one of the leading killers of children and women in the country, UNICEF Somalia Representative Christian Balslev-Olesen announced on the occasion of Africa Malaria Day. [Word]
21-03-06: UN launches new appeal for Somalia as drought bites A revised Humanitarian Appeal for Somalia for $326m was launched in Nairobi on 21 March 2006 by the Acting Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mr Christian Balslev-Olesen, to seek additional funding to respond to the critical needs of 2.1 million people in a dire humanitarian situation that has been further aggravated by the worst drought in a decade. Press release in PDF below. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
15-03-06: Somalia launches AIDS Commission in South Central regions The Somali Transitional Federal Government on 14 March 2006 launched the South Central AIDS Commission (SCAC) in Baidoa, South [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
06-03-06: Measles campaign kicks off in central and southern Somalia A large-scale measles campaign kicks off tomorrow aiming to vaccinate 2.5 million children against measles in Central and Southern Somalia, UNICEF and the World Health Organization announced. The campaign supported by the two organizations will take place between March and April 2006. Press release in PDF below. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
23-02-06: UN calls for respect to safety of civilians as Mogadishu flares up As heavy fighting continued in Mogadishu, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, has appealed to the leaders of the warring parties to end their hostilities and to respect the security of civilian populations caught in their crossfire. Press release in PDF below. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
14-02-06: UN calls for better access to drought-affected populations The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mr Maxwell Gaylard, is appealing to local communities, political and business leaders for a general mobilization to fight the unprecedented humanitarian crisis aggravated by the worst drought in a decade. Press release in PDF below. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
31-10-06: UN Special Representative welcomes proposed meeting of Somali parliament The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia (SRSG), Francois Lonseny Fall has welcomed an announcement that the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia would meet in the Central/Somalia town of Baidoa on 26 February. The scheduled meeting would be the first convening of the now 15 month-old Somali parliament inside the country. Press release in PDF below. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
20-01-06: UN Special Representative for Somalia Urges Generous Donor Response to Growing Humanitarian Crisis The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia (SRSG), Francois Lonseny Fall, has appealed to international donors to respond quickly and generously to the humanitarian drought crisis now engulfing Somali communities. UN agencies have warned that 1.7 million people are in need of urgent assistance. Press release in PDF below. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
19-01-06: Approximately 1.7 million people in need of assistance in Somalia due to Humanitarian Deterioration Following deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Somalia following failed rains at the end of 2005, around 1.7 million Somalis are now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance until June 2006, says the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Southern Somalia in particular faces a widespread Humanitarian Emergency. Press release in PDF below.
[PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
14-12-05: Stability in Somalia will help focus attention on ‘invisible’ children says UNICEF On the occasion of the launch of The State of the World Children Report 2006, UNICEF Somalia has today issued a Press Release titled: Stability in The Press release is attached in Word below. [Word]
14-12-05: Humanitarian appeal launched for Somalia to address needs of most vulnerable populations A humanitarian appeal was launched today in Nairobi by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mr. Maxwell Gaylard, appealing for almost US$ 174,000,000 to address the urgent and critical humanitarian needs of the country’s most vulnerable populations, an estimated one million, including 345,000 people in a state of acute food and livelihood crisis. Press release in PDF below. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
01-12-05: HIV infection in Somalia can be kept low says UN.
24-11-05: Communities key to ending Female Genital Cutting in Somalia - UNICEF. Following the launch of the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre global report, Changing A Harmful Social Convention: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, UNICEF Somalia has today issued a Press release titled: Communities key to ending Female Genital Cutting in Somalia. Below are the Press release (in Word) and a feature story (in PDF) titled: Former Somali circumciser promotes abandonment of FGM/C. [PDF] [Word] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
22-09-05: Polio campaign starts in Mogadish to curb new outbreak. Following the identification of two polio cases in Somalia, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today jointly launched a three-day emergency polio immunization campaign in Mogadishu. The two cases are the first to be identified in Somalia since October 2002. Press release is in Word below. [Word]
16-09-05: Somaliland launches HIV/AIDS Commission.
13-09-05: Control of UN compound in Jowhar returned.
19-07-05: UNICEF & UN-HABITAT collaborate on $1.3 million project to provide shelter for Tsunami - affected inhabitants of Somalia.
15-06-05: Somalia launches emergency polio immunization campaign.
15-06-05: UNICEF resumes activities in Northeast Somalia.
27-05-05: UNICEF suspends activities in Somali region hit by Tsunami. Press release on the issue in Word below. Effective Thursday, 26 May 2005, UNICEF suspended its operations through its office in Bossaso, Northeast Somalia (‘Puntland’). In the past, death threats have been made against some UNICEF Bossaso-based international staff requiring their relocation to Nairobi. The most recent threats were issued earlier this month against an international staff member. [Word]
06-04-05: UNICEF lauds Somali leader's pledge to pay primary school teachers. Press release in Word below. UNICEF has praised a pledge by the President of Puntland (Northeast Somalia) Mohamud Muse Hirsi “Adde” to inaugurate salary payments for primary school teachers.Some 200 teachers stand to benefit from the move which will mark a major break from the norm in Somalia where, traditionally parents have borne full responsibility for payment of teachers. Puntland is a semi-autonomous state in Somalia. [Word]
31-01-05: EC and UNICEF join hands to support education in Somalia. Press release in Word below. Education prospects for Somali children are to benefit from a European Commission grant of 4.5 million euros, says UNICEF Somalia Representative, Jesper Morch. The funds will promote pupil enrolment and quality teaching and learning over a two year period. Part of the funds will be used in a back to school campaign. Listen to UNICEF Somalia Education Officer Noel Ihebuzor speak on the issue.
[Word]
10-01-05: UNICEF support gives relief to Somalia Tsunami victims. Press release in Word below. UNICEF is assisting 12,000 people in the villages of Hafun, Gara’g, Bender Beyla and Eyl on the north-eastern coastline of Somalia. In Hafun half of the homes were destroyed. '' UNICEF has provided shelter materials, clean water and medical care,’’ said UNICEF Somalia Emergency Officer, Bob McCarthy by SatPhone interview from Hafun. Listen below to the interview conducted today, 10 January 2005. [Word]
04-01-05: US Government assists Tsunami victims in somalia. US embassy Press release in Word below.
30-12-04: Estimated 15,000 Somalis Displaced by Massive Flooding Along the Coastline following Tsunami. Download press release in Word format below.
06-08-04: Support sports to promote peace in Somalia, says UN - Somali youth to become messengers of peace after return from Real Madrid
16-07-04: Somali youth depart for Real Madrid football camp: Somalis for Peace initiative kicks off
28-06-04: Global Fund grants Somalia US$8.9m to fight malaria.
09-06-04: Somali youth selected for Real Madrid football camp.
01-04-04: Chinese Donation Assists the Most Vulnerable in Somalia.
29-03-04: Amid Conflict, A '' Miraculous'' Victory Over Polio for Somalia''.
06-01-04: Drought Increases Risk of Malnutrition in Northern Somalia, says UNICEF.
12-01-07: UNICEF Somalia Representative assesses impact of conflict UNICEF Radio correspondent Blue Chevigny talked with UNICEF Representative in Somalia Christian Balslev-Olesen about UNICEF’s response to ongoing instability there. Read her article on the issue and listen to an audio interview by clicking on the link: Here . The link also contains additional information on the situation in Somalia. Video - drought in Somalia - May '06
Following deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Somalia following failed rains at the end of 2005, around 1.7 million Somalis are now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. See video piece compiled by UNICEF Somalia on the situation as of May 2006.
[View clip] Tsunami crisis: The Somalia situation View video reports and interviews, stories and related links on the UNICEF response to the Tsunami in Somalia. Click here Video report
1 June 2004: Then Senior Programme Officer, UNICEF Somalia, Leila Pakkala speaks on situation in Somalia. The video clip of the interview is attached below in low bandwith. Leila is now Representative, UNICEF Mozambique. The clip is in Real Format.
[View clip] |
