War and Anarchy: Somalia
A boy drinks at a manmade dam in drought ravaged Somalia
REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
War and anarchy has uprooted hundreds of thousands of people in Somalia, which has been controlled by feuding clans for 15 years. The worst drought in a decade has left around 1.7 million people in need of help.
- Some 400,000 people are displaced within Somalia, half of them in squatter camps in Mogadishu.
- Nearly a quarter of children die before their fifth birthday.
- Clan militias enlist boys to fight.
- Female genital mutilation is widespread.
- Children are trafficked to South Africa, Middle East and Europe.
"The frightening fact is that Somalia is officially not even at war. Extreme violence has become a part of daily existence and the effect on the population is catastrophic."
Medecins Sans Frontieres head of mission Colin Mcllreavy quoted on the MSF website
Medecins Sans Frontieres head of mission Colin Mcllreavy quoted on the MSF website
UNICEF TV: Protecting Children's Rights in Somalia