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In Somalia, Conflict Prevents Learning |
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Issue 368
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By HENRY OWUOR in Nairobi February 10 2009 In Summary NGO says many parts of Somalia have no schools and in some of the few child-friendly centers, where children can learn, girls are rewarded with one kilogramme of cooking oil if they consistently attend school for 23 days. Somalia has no government-run schools especially in the south central area that includes Mogadishu, an NGO has said. However, adds the NGO, there are a few community-based centres that can pass for schools, run by NGOs. In some of the few child-friendly centers, where children can learn, girls are rewarded with one kilogram of cooking oil if they consistently attend school for 23 days. Gain autonomy Though appearing on a map as a single country, Somalia is just a collection of regions controlled by clans. Of these regions, Somaliland, in the north of the country, wants to break off and create an independent state. The other region, known as Puntland, wants to gain autonomy from Mogadishu. This is the main area where pirates, currently attacking ships, operate. The third region is South Central that includes the capital Mogadishu but where radical groups such as Al-Shabaab “are more prominent than in the other two regions.’’ Says Mr Chris Smoot, World Vision Somalia programme director whose agency has projects in parts of Somalia: “We offer stability for 100,000 households. Somalia is a country in constant state of conflict, war and civil unrest. Three million Somalis, or 43 per cent of the population need humanitarian assistance.’’ At a media briefing in Nairobi Tuesday, Mr Smoot said that even in Somalia, the global trend towards higher prices for basic commodities has hit hard. Feed themselves He said that World Vision goes all out to provide Somalis with the means to feed themselves even if it means supplying goats and sheep to needy families. He added: “There are everyday tragedies in Somalia such as fires and World Vision must offer relief.’’ World Vision’s goal is that by the year 2012, it will have helped half a million Somali children through its many activities that include ‘‘Health services and nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene, education and skill development.’’ In all its activities, World Vision’s focus, says Mr Smoot, is on “children and all the needs of children.’’ Mr. Smoot said that Somalia’s clans are vital to the country’s survival. Source: The Daily Nation
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