SOMALI FAMINE: 29,000 children dead

8/9/11

Written By: Christina Given

In the horn of Africa in Somali, there has been reports of a drastic famine due to a drought, with millions of people in refugee camps. There is an increase in hunger, malnutrition and even death. In addition, there have been reports of rapes in the refugee camps and many have tried to flee the area.

From CBS news, “Nancy Lindborg, an official with the U.S. government aid arm, told a congressional committee in Washington on Wednesday that the U.S. estimates that more than 29,000 children under age 5 have died in the last 90 days in southern Somalia.”

“The reason these people are not receiving immediate assistance is because of the corrupt terrorist groups in these areas who are dominating and taking the aid.

“Getting aid to the country has been difficult because al Qaeda-linked group al-Shabab controls much of the country's most desperate areas.” (CBS)

There are some people in Kenya who want to help but they fear that the al Qaeda groups will interfere. MSNBC reports:

“Kenyan officials have said that they consider the influx of Somali a security risk because part of the country is held by al-Qaida linked rebels. They also fear that if they provide the schools and medical care lacking in Somalia, families will simply move to Kenya to get better services. The Kenyans want aid agencies to deliver food in Somalia instead but charities face attack by bandits and harassment by Kenyan officials at the border. But Somalis say they have no other choice than to flee their homes because they will be killed by gunmen or starve to death if they stay at home.”

Many are trying to cross to Ethiopia for safety but it is difficult because many are so dehydrated and are lacking nutrition. Some walked for 14 or 15 days approximately to leave Somali. Vice President Joe Biden's wife (Jill Biden), was reported visiting in Somali for a conference regarding the emergency situation.

Check out the websites below to assist these innocent victims. Somali and these families are in our thoughts at this time.

How to HELP: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/08/02/world/main20087152.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Sources:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43961620/ns/world_news-africa/t/somalis-fleeing-famine-preyed-rapists/

http://www.cbsnews.com/

http://www.voanews.com/

Photo Credit:

www.voanews.com

World News: Catholic Church Bombed in Kirkuk, Iraq

A Syrian Catholic church was bombed on Tuesday at 6 a.m. in Kirkuk, Iraq. Approximately 20 people were wounded from the car bomb reporters indicated. The victims were from The Holy Family Church. One of the only people in the church was Rev. Imad Yalda, who was severely injured. Not only was the church destroyed, but in addition, surrounding homes and nearby buildings.

The group associated with the attack is most likely an extremist group. Many reports indicate that the threats from these terrorist groups are causing many of the Iraqi Christians to flee the area. Some are willing to stay, according to MSNBC, one of the Priests the bombs were directed to was Reverand Haithem Akram has said,
 "The terrorists want to make us flee Iraq, but they will fail."

Sources:

CNN World News:
 http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/08/02/iraq.church.attack/index.html?hpt=hp_bn2

MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43982676/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

Photo Credit: MSNBC News

Sources:

CNN World News:
 http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/08/02/iraq.church.attack/index.html?hpt=hp_bn2

MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43982676/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

Photo Credit: MSNBC News