A Call For Poor Children’s Right For Food

There is ample material to draw on in order to establish a clear understanding of the political, economic and socio-cultural landscape in Somaliland. However, there is a general weakness running through much of the literature in that it continues to regard Somalia as a single unit of analysis, failing to clearly differentiate between Somalia and Somaliland. It is becoming increasingly important to conceptually break down data and take into account the de facto separateness of the north-west. This is simply due to the fact that Somaliland is rapidly growing politically, economically, socially and legally. Without making this distinction it becomes increasingly difficult to get a clear picture of the reality on the ground.

For example, in the literature there is more information about the western regions of Somaliland (Galbeed, Awdal and Sahil) but little on the eastern regions (Togdheer, Sool and Sanaag) which are often less accessible due to security reasons. A second failing of the literature is that it neglects to address the question of the specific impact of the wider environment on children’s lives. It is therefore essential to improve and let you know this area through.

There is a general need to discover more about children’s lives, especially children and young people in rural and nomadic areas. Meanwhile, the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child according to the article 3, the best interests of the child; (All actions concerning the child shall take full account of his or her best interests. The state shall provide care when parents, or others charged with that responsibility, fail to do so), in contrast, the constitution of the Republic of Somali land (ROS) does not contain specific clauses on the concept of the best interest of the child. In fact apart from the mention of “youths” (Article 15), “the young” (Article 15.8) and the “welfare of the family” (Article 36.4), children are not specifically named in the constitution. However, the articles are of general application and are there fore relevant for children.

Moreover the constitution stipulates that the ROS recognizes the United Nations Charter. International law and the Universal Declaration of Human Fundamentally, Islam and the UNHCR share one common goal, that “the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration”.

There fore, the situation that is in need to address for children’s demand of hungry for food and identified by our survey screening teems are all the SCD supported ABE centers in Awdal region:

Through out these new types of NFE Basic Education Schools, the problem of Food shortage remains a challenge for the formal schools enrollment of these disadvantaged children. Also the problem of food in these poor pastoral societies is acute in Old-baki, Qolqol, Shirwa, sabowanag and Asho-ado, where neither rain fed farms, nor could the animal raring hardly support the survival of life.

In addition to that, most of these areas are re-settled by internally displaced individuals and families. Further more, drought is recurrent and affected the normal adjustment of these meager societies.

Due to food stress, the tolerance to carry on education vision decreased and drop out rate caused by food shortage increased. In the case of Hayayabe ABE Center, this unique part of the community, inherited a long severe cultural challenges. Most of the families are culturally oppressed minority groups, levted, killed and displaced by the civil war catastrophes. These communities are not involved in the work opportunities that are found in the local areas, but very few live on means of benefiting their life owning for small Barber shop, where they cut hair and repair shoes. Consequently, we believe, that access to both food and basic education will strongly help to normalize their struggle of survival for life and the development of their children.

It is pleasure for us for thanks giving in this occasion and to let you know, that the construction of feeding centers, supported by UNHCR, NRC, and WFP are currently under process, providing food to formal and non-formal schools children, will upgrade and raise up the children’s enrollment and as a result, drop out related to food shortage will decline in both alternative basic education and formal primary linkage schools.

Therefore, we are kindly informing you this situation to give consideration for addressing and there for help to those broke and needy children.

Mohamed Sh. Farah

Suldaan22@hotmail.com
Borama-Awdal

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