Unicef Director to assess refugees crisis in Kenya
Somali refugees wait to be registered by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees at Dagahaley camp in Dadaab. Photo/FILE
UNICEF Executive Director, Anthony Lake arrives in Kenya Thursday to assess the refugees humanitarian crisis, which is threatening to engulf thousands of people.
The crisis in the region is being fuelled by drought, soaring food prices and conflict in Somalia.
UNICEF estimates that close to 10 million people are in need of humanitarian aid.
Over 500,000 children in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are suffering from imminent, life-threatening malnutrition.
In addition, over 2 million children under the age of five are acutely malnourished.
In addition to thousands of people seeking refuge in Ethiopia and Kenya from Somalia, millions more are living on the brink of extreme poverty and hunger due to poor rains.
Mr Lake will for the next two days hold talks with United Nations agencies, NGOs and governmental partners as well as representatives from donor governments.
The children’s agency has appealed for USD$31.8 million for the next three months to cater for urgent needs that include therapeutic feeding, vitamin supplementation, water and sanitation measures and immunization.
