4m Somalia Children Hit by War and Climate Change, Experts Say

Julius Barigaba - The East African

As Somali forces navigate a delicate transition to assume the country’s security responsibilities from African Union peacekeepers who have secured civilians and personnel of international agencies for the past 17 years, experts say that four million children in Somalia have been affected by conflict and climate change.

Isha Dyfan, UN independent expert on the human rights situation in Somalia, announced this Thursday, at meetings with government officials, UN representatives, children rights activists and other humanitarian agencies operating in Somalia.

“I noted slow progress in the implementation of the National Action Plan on children, and I wish to call upon the Federal Government to take measures to promote and protect women and children’s rights,” she said.