UNICEF: $48 mill. appeal for Somalia's malnourished children

HARGEISA, Somalia 15 February 2008 --As violence surges across Somalia -- and cereal production turns out to be lower than originally forecast -- UNICEF fears that 2008 could be the worst-ever year for Somalia's children. New data show that undernutrition is above the emergency threshold and increasing.
Despite generous humanitarian support up to the end of 2007, UNICEF's appeal for $48 million for its 2008 programmes has yet to receive any contributions. UNICEF has been able to keep programmes afloat, though at least half the 110 nutritional feeding programmes will have to close by the end of March unless new funds arrive immediately.
UNICEF is urgently seeking $5.8 million to treat children at risk in Somalia. "Funding shortfalls will have a devastating impact on our ability to save lives," says UNICEF Representative in Somalia Christian Balslev Olesen.
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