Metro

Over 700 children die in Somalian nutrition centres – UNICEF

Published

2 years ago

September 7, 2022

The United Nations Children and Education Fund (UNICEF), on Wednesday, said over 700 Somalian children have died in nutrition centres across country from malnutrition and starvation.

The agency’s alarm came shortly after it warned of the country slipping into famine in the coming months due to drought.

The beleaguered Horn of Africa country is facing a fifth consecutive failed rainy season with the hunger-induced drought leading into an unprecedented drought and starvation which has so far claimed over 200,000 lives, most of them children.

In a statement addressed to the United Nations on Wednesday by UNICEF’s representative in Somalia, Wafaa Saeed, the agency said if nothing is done fast enough, more children are likely to die.

“Some 730 children have been reported to have died in food and nutrition centres across the country between January and July this year but the numbers could be more as many deaths go unreported,” Saeed said.

He further explained that the centres which were opened for children with severe acute malnutrition as well as other complications such as measles, cholera or malaria, are ill-equipped and are considered just a snapshot of the situation across the country.

UNICEF’s spokesman in Somalia, Victor Chinyama, who coborated Saeed’s claims, said many children died while being transported to the centres.

“We don’t know the full picture. I have met many, many families whose children have died along the way to centres,” Chinyama said.

Related Topics:Deaths Featured malnutrition Somalia Starvation UN

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Metro

Sign language interpreter, Kunda, seeks inclusivity in media rights agenda

Published

13 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

An inclusive society is crucial for a nation’s human and economic development in the modern era.

In this edition of Project Aliyense, we feature Paul Kunda, widely recognized as the face of sign language interpretation on national television, serving the deaf community.

Kunda, a dedicated sign language interpreter and educator with over four years of experience, sheds light on the significance of media freedom.

“As a sign language interpreter at Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and a teacher by profession, I advocate for media freedom,” he said.

Kunda emphasised the importance of the Access to Information (ATI) Act, recently assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema, which empowered citizens to demand information freely.

He stressed the need for unhindered access to information to foster a civil and prosperous society.

Regarding digital rights, Kunda highlighted their critical role for the deaf community, given the transformative impact of digital platforms, especially when mainstream media access is limited.

“As a representative of the deaf community, I believe digital rights should be inclusive. Everyone, including persons with disabilities, should enjoy these rights through various devices to express themselves and participate in national discourse,” he asserted.

He also called for the recognition of sign language as the eighth national language, aligning with United Nations conventions that mandate sign language interpreters at all events to promote inclusivity.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

Sign language interpreter, Kunda, seeks inclusivity in media rights agenda (video)

Published

14 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

An inclusive society is crucial for a nation’s human and economic development in the modern era.

In this edition of Project Aliyense, we feature Paul Kunda, widely recognized as the face of sign language interpretation on national television, serving the deaf community.

Kunda, a dedicated sign language interpreter and educator with over four years of experience, sheds light on the significance of media freedom.

“As a sign language interpreter at Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and a teacher by profession, I advocate for media freedom,” he said.

Kunda emphasised the importance of the Access to Information (ATI) Act, recently assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema, which empowered citizens to demand information freely.

He stressed the need for unhindered access to information to foster a civil and prosperous society.

Regarding digital rights, Kunda highlighted their critical role for the deaf community, given the transformative impact of digital platforms, especially when mainstream media access is limited.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.