Ravaging Famine
Somalia famine 2011: Of 258,000 killed, half were under 5
The 2011 famine in southern Somalia killed 258,000 people, half of them under age 5, says a new study from FEWS NET, the Famine Early Warning System Network. Previous estimates of the death toll, compiled by the British government, were less than half the latest numbers.
The death toll amounts to 4.6 percent of the total population and 10 percent of children under 5 in central and southern Somalia from October 2010 to February 2012. These were the areas most affected by the drought—the worst in 60 years. Militant groups also cut them off from external aid.
In July 2011, based on malnutrition and death rates, the UN declared a famine in two regions of southern Somalia. By that time, more than 166,000 people had fled the country because of hunger and conflict.
Since 1993, World Vision has been working in areas of Somalia with the highest levels of child poverty. Our goal is to achieve long-lasting benefits in the quality of life for vulnerable children and their families, displaced persons, and communities.
With projects spread across Puntland, Somaliland and Doolow district of Southern Somalia, World Vision implements emergency, early recovery and development programs targeting children, communities, and other key partners such as local organizations, national networks, and government agencies.
In 2008, World Vision launched the Area Rehabilitation Programming (ARP) model to build community resilience through multi-sector relief, rehabilitation and development programming in defined geographic locations. These programs are providing life-saving and rehabilitative programming in sectors of child protection, education, health, Livelihoods, nutrition, shelter, food aid, and WASH. Additionally, World Vision ensures a comprehensive approach by incorporating advocacy, peace building, and environmental sustainability.
From late 2010 to early 2012, drought and food insecurity affected as many as 13 million people in the Horn of Africa.
In response to the drought, World Vision aided 2 million people in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Tanzania. The organization provided lifesaving food and water, along with health care, education, and agriculture improvements.
By January 2013, World Vision was able to reach over 380,000 children and their families in Doolow district and Puntland region of Somalia; and intervened in sectors of Health and nutrition, Livelihoods and Agriculture, Child Protection, Shelter, Water and Sanitation. Having been forced to shut operations in Southern Somalia in August 2010, we were not able to reach the most affected areas where famine was declared, and most deaths reported.