About Blue Star Site
March 10, 2011
The beautiful flag of Somalia has proudly displayed one bright star for many years. In the spirit of our country, Blue Star Site exists to provide you with the knowledge you need about Somalia. Whether you are searching for current events, trends, or census information from Somalia, you will find it here. As political unrest continues to cause major upheaval and transition throughout eastern Africa, Blue Star will give you up to date feeds so you know what is happening in Somalia. Visit often to see how Somalia is changing and becoming more established as an independent nation among its African neighbors.
Exploring the Unrest in Somalia
March 2, 2011
Nestled along the Indian Ocean, you will find the country of Somalia with its blue star flag waving proudly throughout the land. Somalia is bordered by Ethiopia and Kenya and is comparable to the state of Texas in land size. The climate of Somalia if usually very dry and the land is mostly dessert and dirt. It is a barren area with the exception of the two primary rivers that flow through the country. The Juba River and the Shebelle River offer water to the people of Somalia and provide one of the most important life sources in the region.
In the past two decades, Somalia has seen major political upheaval. During the 1990’s, there was no government in place within the country which led to a lot of problems among the people. When the year 2000 rolled around, the people formed a parliament to govern the country, but it never did get a successful grip on the country. After three years, the first parliament expired with no changes to show for its time in leadership.
Since then, Somalia has established a transitional federal parliament and elected a president, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Unfortunately, much of the parliament and governmental leadership is corrupt and the people have started to rise up against it. Muslim extremists have jumped at the opportunity to seize power, forming resurgence movements that have turned bloody across the country.
No one knows what the future will hold for Somalia as its government continues on in such a fragile state. If the current president is overthrown, major changes will be instituted that could transform the country completely. Some fear that if the resurgence is successful, the Al Qaeda will gain the use of Somalia as a headquarters for future terrorism activities and strategies.
Everyone is watching Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu with baited breath while the battles continue to rage within its borders. The coming months will reveal a great deal of what kind of future is in store for the Somali people. Public activists and human aid groups are hoping to establish better health care institutions within the country once the fighting subsides. Today, the people of Somalia are plagued by death and disease, with the average lifespan reaching only 50 years and a growing rate of infant mortality.
A Brief Look at the Culture of Somalia
February 1, 2011
Somalia is one of Africa’s most talked about countries with nearly constant reports of war and political upheaval filling the news. Despite its recent fighting, the culture of Somalia is still thriving. Here is a brief look at Somalia’s history and the influences that shaped its unique culture that still prevails today.
The earliest reports we have from Africa identify Somalia as the Land of Punt. The people of Egypt wrote about the sweet smelling trees of Punt in their historical documents. We know that the trees had a thick resin that was used to manufacture frankincense and myrrh in ancient times, which will sound familiar if you are a Bible scholar. Those were two of the gifts presented to the baby Jesus at his birth! Ancient Rome documents also make reference to Somalia, calling it Cape Aromatica.
Today, the people of Somalia are primarily Muslims associated with the Sunni division. They speak one language (Somali) throughout the country. There are several smaller groups of Somali people that have migrated into surrounding countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia; however these groups still consider themselves to be members of the Somali nation. The undercurrent of fierce unity among the Somali people makes it one of the most strongly bound ethnic groups in Africa.
The people living within Somalia’s boundaries spread out over more than 246,000 square miles. The nation’s size is closely comparable to the state of Texas. The hot climates make it nearly impossible to grow any kind of vegetation except in the areas closest to the two rivers that run through the southern regions.
Because of the many nomads that travel through Somalia, it is nearly impossible to take an accurate census of the people. No demographic study was ever attempted until 1975 and those numbers were never made official because accuracy was in question. Today’s researchers estimate that Somalia has a population of over 10 million with some estimates topping the charts at 15 million. Seventy-five percent of those people live in the arid rural regions with only one fourth dwelling inside cities.
Many people live as nomads in Somalia, traveling to different regions throughout the year as the seasons change. They seek new water sources and better land for growing vegetation and frequently move from one town to the next.
Another Bombing in Somalia
August 7, 2012
Somalia is no stranger to killings, bombings and murders. The past few days are no exception. Two suicide bombings just days apart and a comedian shot to death near his home.
August 3rd near a military air base in Nairobi a suicide bomber set off a grenade. The explosion not only killed him but also wounded nine others. The police said that the bomber wanted to blow up a group of soldiers close to the base. Of the nine injured only one was not a civilian. Other attacks have hit the city of Mombasa and the capital. This is not good for Kenya’s tourism sector.
Just days earlier more than 600 delegates convened together to accept Somalia’s newest constitution. Two men disguised to be delegates tried to pass through security checkpoint outside the assembly wearing explosive vests. The two men were shot and killed by security forces. In the mix of commotion several soldiers were wounded.
Al Shabaab, Somali affiliate of al Qaeda did take credit for the attack. Regional Somali intelligence chief presented an ID card to the members of the assembly that was found on one of the attackers. The delegates did approve and bass the constitution. This new interim constitution legalizes abortion when a mother’s life is in danger.
In Mogadishu a well-known Somali comedian was killed. The killing was due to the comedian’s remarks ridiculing the commanders of an Islamic insurgent group. This group is known to force young boys into its ranks and fighting. Two young men suspected to belong to Al-Shabab shot the comedian near his home. The comedian will be greatly missed and an outpouring of sadness is seen across the city.
EU Attacks Somali Pirates
May 17, 2012
The most recent news to come out of Somalia is a doozy. It has been a long time coming but the intervention by the EU forces in the pirating culture of Somalia is better late than never. The attack was able to hit boat?s, weapons, and even fuel that the pirates need to continue their operations.
The reason this action counts as news and deserves to be discussed is because the EU was only recently granted permission to even come out and make these attacks. The decision came after they were legally allowed to stop disruptive action against known pirates on a shoreline. These specific criteria fit Somalia perfectly and really nail down what happened over the past few days.
They launched in a helicopter and destroyed more than five ships. An anonymous source from the pirates themselves indicates that no one was hurt as they simply fled the scene. This is unusual for the Somali pirates as they typically are much more apt to violence and aggression when someone launches an assault against them.
Somali pirates have plagued the waters for more than a decade thanks to the issues within their government and economic structure. Young men have to choose between poverty and working with a pirate organization. For someone with so little, it can seem like a no brainer choice to help move his or her way up in the world. For the most part, the pirates have shown no violence as they merely intimidate with guns and plunder other ships that are powerless to stop them. The EU help can only help the situation and hopefully ease some tensions in those contentious waters.
The View From Somalia
April 12, 2012
My wife and I have always been fascinated with the idea of helping others in far away lands. All most everyone has seen the news coverage and the print ads depicting these areas of waste and ruin and has felt the pain of wanting to help. Well we recently decided to help out. But we had no idea that our help would lead us into one of the poorest and most desperate situations the world has to offer. We found ourselves in the war torn region known as Somalia. And while the trip there was eye opening and heart breaking, there were several things that really stood out to us as we walked the country. The first thing we noticed is that while there are some devastatingly poor areas, not all of Somalia is riddled with disease and poverty. In fact, we saw some very beautiful landscape walkways that rival anything here in the states.
We were amazed at how many people in this country were skilled laborers and we marveled at how if they could only come to America they would have jobs. There were stonemasons and carpenters, cloth cutters and furniture makers. As we walked around the waterfront on the Elevated Boardwalks we couldn’t help but smile at the great skill these workers had. It was enough to bring a grown man to tears. Knowing that we could, as a nation, improve these peoples lives yet we were doing nothing. Instead we have our own situations and our own tasks that we want to finish before we help other people.
I would have to say that of all the skills that were on display, Dock Building seemed to be the area they were the most skilled. To watch these men turn nothing into something was awe-inspiring. Just the sheer volume of their Pier Systems would bring to mind the beautiful piers along the coast of the Carolinas or even the beautiful boardwalk on the Jersey shore. But what they had in piers they greatly lacked in other areas.
My wife and I had many miles that we had to cover on a daily basis and we were usually doing the traveling on an old, out dated, dilapidated Track System. A track so bad that once the train stopped your whole body was still shaking violently from the previous journey. Needless to say, the travel was rough.
There is No Simple Solution for Somalia
February 28, 2012
David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has called a conference held this week on the country of Somalia a “turning point” on global security. Representatives from more than fifty nations were present for the conference, which was held in London. The meetings were focused on piracy, as well as improving security for the war torn country. Piracy has long been a source of concern, not just for Somalia, but for other nations as well, and it has been a struggle to decide exactly how it can be properly handled.
According to the British newspaper “The Independent”, the Prime Minister feels that there is no one answer for restoring Somalia to a stable nation. It is a complex problem that will require much work and a long period of time to accomplish any lasting, true change for the people living in Somalia.
It’s not clear if any real immediate change will come from this conference, but there is now a plan in place with direct actions to be taken against piracy. All the representatives, including Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, signed on to these plans, and they are hopeful that change is on the way. One thing is clear- something has to be done to stop the rampant piracy going on in Somalia.
It is affecting trade with other nations, and the economy of the country itself as well as other nations nearby. We have all seen the news stories of ships and passengers being held by these pirates and often the result is undesirable. It also puts security for Somalia, neighboring nations, and the world into sharp focus – and leaders are hopeful that this will improve the situation.
Famine Finally Eases in Somalia
December 13, 2011
After decades of starvation in Somalia’s poverty ridden landscape, recent reports claim that the long standing famine is finally drawing to a close, at least in some parts of Somalia. Three areas of the nation that have been served and guided by the UN and US aide agencies have finally rounded a corner in their fight against famine. However, the rest of the country is still in grave danger of starvation. In fact, an estimated 250,000 people in Somalia are still in danger of death from starvation in the near future.
Since September 2011, more relief aide agencies have gotten involved in the famine crisis in Somalia. As more agencies pool to offer relief and fight malnutrition, the country has already seen a significant decline in deaths related to starvation and malnutrition. While these areas are still considered to be emergency zones of Africa, they are not considered famine regions anymore.
Unfortunately, despite the vast improvements in aide given to Somalia, the people of this fragile nation still face mortality rates up to four times higher than the rest of Africa’s people. In southern Somalia, there are an estimated 3.3 million people that are in desperate need of life saving interventions. Many of these are children.
While it does appear that officials are finally making a dent in the starvation crisis of Somalia, beware of reports that the situation is solved. Politicians looking for accolades will quickly portray Somalia’s issues as resolved, but in fact, the road is still long and arduous to take permanent relief to the people of Somalia.
In order to really see change, the people within the starving nation are going to need to be equipped to grow their own foods and subsist on their own community land. There are many social issues that keep the people from thriving in Somalia and these individual problems must be addressed as well.
Pain Relief Methods Compared
May 3, 2011
Chronic pain is debilitating. You hurt all the time, you can’t function right and your head is only focused on the pain. You have reduced mobility and can’t do all the things you used to and many of the things that you enjoyed. Your house becomes your cell because it hurts too much to go places or be active. You become anxious and depressed. This is unfortunately what untreated chronic pain can do. It can change a social, well adjusted person to a type of recluse who can only focus on the pain that they are in. No one wants to suffer like that, and there are many various methods to try to take control of the pain instead of the pain controlling you.
The first things that physicians always look at are the medication and traditional therapies that can be used to control your pain. Whether you are looking for lower back pain relief or some other chronic pain, you may want to look at the benefits of Tramadol. Tramadol is a very effective pain reliever; it can even give back pain relief which is one of the most difficult pains to address. Tramadol is the generic version of the more widely known drug Ultram. Prescription Tramadol works on your brain similar to how an opiate would, but it is not a controlled substance. It is a very well tolerated drug and has only a few side effects.
If you are given a prescription for the medication, you may want to compare prices for prescription tramadol before you decide to buy tramadol online or in a pharmacy. The cheapest tramadol may be at your neighborhood drug store. Many of these drug stores offer a list of generic medications that you can get for cheaper than your insurance co pay. You can also buy Tramadol online if that is a better choice for you.
Along with prescription drugs, it may be beneficial to try some alternative forms of pain relief to help further control your pain. There have been many studies that show that meditation and relaxation techniques, when done properly, have been attributed to resulting in more pain relief for the patient. There are other techniques as well, acupuncture, hypnosis, massage and reflexology are all additional alternative forms of pain relief that you can certainly begin along with your prescription medication. All of these have a benefit to your health and mental well being. Relaxing the mind as well as the body can be a huge stepping stone in pain relief. These types of therapies also help ward off depression which can become prevalent with chronic pain sufferers. Be careful however of taking any herbal supplements to help with pain control without checking with your physician first. Some medications will interact with the prescription pain reliever that could cause serious reactions. That is why it is always best to let your doctor know if you are using some type of alternative therapy because this may let your doctor know that you shouldn’t buy Tramadol, but should try a different medication.
No matter what method or methods you choose to use to control your pain, be upfront and honest with your physician. You need to work as a team with your doctor to effectively control chronic pain and unfortunately there is no quick fix. Given time and a willingness to be open to new things and ideas may make all the difference in your quality of life.
Keeping in Touch Just Got Easier
April 18, 2011
I am the first person to admit that I probably have the coolest job in the world. My bosses actually pay me to fly to all sorts of different places in the world where I get to see all sorts of things and then I get to write about what I see. One week I will be in the middle of a war zone and the next I might be covering Oktoberfest. I cannot imagine a job I would rather have.
There really are only two downsides to being a traveling journalist. The first is that I really do not get paid very much. My boss covers my travel expenses and does give me a salary, but it really is not much. I always have to think about how much money I am spending.
The other downside is that because I am on the road all the time, I do not get to see much of my family. We tried to stay in touch via phone calls, but most of them were long distance international calls and the bills started to get scary expensive. Than a few years ago during a trip to Somalia, I learned that I could use UK bingo sites to stay in touch with my family. Nearly all of the no deposit bingo websites have online chats that are free to use and allow members to talk to one another for as long as they like. Some of the sites are even starting to set up video chats.
My family and I all created accounts for ourselves and we make an effort to get online at about the same time every day so that we can talk. Normally we are able to connect with one another. It is a far more personal and interactive way of communicating than simply zapping emails back and forth to one another. Plus, we have actually gotten really involved in playing the games at several different sites. I love Bingo Cove and my mom is obsessed with Costabingo.
If I happen to get online and none of my family members or friends are online that is OK. On those occasions I have two options. I can either chat with other members of the bingo website and sometimes this will actually lead to new story idea that I can pitch to my boss. If I do not feel like talking to strangers I choose to play some free bingo games or a round of the Fluffy favourites slot game. I have also discovered that sometimes playing a couple rounds of free online bingo is enough to cut my homesickness and get me through another long trip, whether I’m in Somalia or another part of the world.
Staying Occupied While Traveling
April 15, 2011
I’m very glad that my husband has the marvelous job that he does; not only is he able to provide for our family quite well, but I am allowed to travel with him on his business trips. We’ve been to see so many wonderful places over the years, and all my friends are quite jealous, even though I bring them souvenirs that I picked out especially for them.
What they don’t realize is that these trips aren’t vacations; they are business trips. My husband works long hours wherever he goes, and we often only have time for dinner and one or two shows in the evenings. If I couldn’t play bingo online, I’m sure I’d go mad. After all, we’re not made of money, and I refuse to spend frivolously in the markets. My laptop is my saving grace, I swear.
One of the great things about the UK online bingo websites I play on when we’re in Europe or Africa (we’re in Somalia this week) is that I sometimes win the bingo bonus, which is so exciting! A few times, I’ve won enough to pay for an extra shopping trip in the bazaars. In my opinion, that’s what constitutes the best online bingo site: the one that I win the most on!
But it is not entirely about money; the game itself is really a lot of fun. And the people! I’ve made so many wonderful friends just by chatting during the game. There’s one lady in Sweden whose grandchildren live with her, and they are giving her fits, I’m so glad that mine are past that difficult stage and are able to be civil. And another friend of mine lives outside of Liverpool and runs a real British Pub with an internet cafe! I keep telling my husband we need to go there, but his employer doesn’t have an office there… yet!
Sometimes the places we travel to are just lovely, and sometimes they aren’t so lovely. As I said, we’re in Somalia this week, and though we’re in the big city with plenty of security, it simply isn’t safe for me to go wandering around shopping or sightseeing. So staying indoors with my bingo buddies as we play bingo online is really the best choice for me when my husband is out working. But it’s so frustrating when the internet goes out! It does that almost every day, despite the fact that we’re in a very nice hotel.
So even though I travel so much and have a wonderful time with my husband, it isn’t as exciting as some people make it out to be. But it gives me the chance to talk to wonderful people from all over the world and play a fun game that sometimes pays out a bingo bonus. It’s a lifesaver, I promise you. Here are some of my favorite places to play:
- I usually play bingo online here because they have a great bingo bonus each week.
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- To compete for a jackpot, I recommend UK online bingo here.
Somali Reporter Releases Underground Website
April 5, 2011
Recent battles in Somalia have the world watching closely. Many fear that Somalia will be completely overtaken by the resurgence of extreme Muslim Sunni allies. Nothing could be worse for the international state of affairs, but it is hard to get an accurate picture of what is really happening inside the government offices of Somalia. Now a new website is releasing underground information with government reports and updates on the political situation as they unfold.
No one knows exactly who the leak is, but the Somali reporter has government officials up in arms. Rumor has it that this reporter once lived in the United States where he garnered connections with an Austin website design firm. Through that network, he is using Appleton website design professionals to maintain his website from across the world while he sends periodic updates.
The internet is making it possible for news to spread faster than ever! With a daily blog reporting the latest fighting outbreaks and government controversies, the world is watching with baited breath to see what will happen next in the conflicts among Somali citizens. Many people are campaigning for peace in Somalia. Even the campaigns to overthrow the current president have been internet based using websites to spread the word and give the facts to incite more citizens to join in with the resurgence.
The world’s governments are possibly less secure than ever before after seeing how the internet is playing a role in reform. Just this year, Egypt’s president was overthrown after massive protests and violent riots forced the official to leave office. All of this was orchestrated online too. Web design plays a critical part in every area of life today, including politics and government. You can become an activist too by creating your own website to express your views and rally support. Use these links to find a web designer to help you get started:
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The Use of Incense Dates Back to Ancient Somalia
April 3, 2011
Incense has been used for centuries by people around the world. The aromas that it provides have been proven to have therapeutic properties that can reduce stress, relieve insomnia, and even help replenish energy. Recent studies have shown that using incense dates back to ancient Somalia. The oldest Egyptian documents refer to Somalia’s trees as the chief source of aromatic resin that they used to create their own incense blends. Even the ancient Romans imported the fragrant resin from Somalia to use as incense and a base for their exotic perfumes.
Today, people still enjoy using incense just like in the times of ancient Somalia. The latest craze is K2 incense which contains natural herbal blends that give a fragrant aroma that users love. You can buy K2 incense in a variety of scents, but for an exotic experience that will remind you of the original blends of Somalia, try K2 Passion Fruit.
Many people wonder “Is K2 spice legal?” After all, there have been many reports about people that use K2 as a synthetic marijuana product rather than a natural aromatherapy fragrance. When you buy standard K2, it is legal in most states. Only a few varieties of the incense have restrictions in some places due to counterfeit products that might contain harmful additives. If you stick with natural K2 scents, you won’t have to worry about any legal problems though.
Recently, K2 Avalanche became available to the people of Somalia through the internet. It is amazing to see the life of incense go full circle as K2 offers a new spice fragrance to the place where incense was originally created. The Somali people have tried K2 and reviews have been very positive. The natural K2 properties are quite similar to the standard incense they used historically from their fragrant trees.
If you want to learn more about K2 incense and how you can try it, visit these reputable websites.
- You can buy K2 incense online at this site.
- Read reviews of K2 incense here to decide which scent you want to order. Check out reviews of K2 Avalanche, K2 Passion Fruit, and Natural K2 if you are a beginner.
- Is K2 spice legal? Find out your state’s answer here so you can enjoy peace of mind when you buy standard K2 online.
Politics and Gambling in Somalia
March 29, 2011
Somalia is a country that is located on the Eastern side of the African continent. Somalia shares its borders with Ethiopia and Kenya. The country used to be a part of Italy but it was succeeded in the 1960’s. At the time of its succession, there were actually two different Somalia’s, one that was an Italian territory and one that was British. Since both areas gained their independence at about the same time, they decided that they should join up and become one larger country.
Somalia has a long history of fighting. The country’s government is unstable and tends to be very militant. The country has a long history of not just fighting with its neighbors, particularly Ethiopia, but also amongst itself. The official language of Somalia is Somali though most of the population is also fluid in Arabic and many of the citizens also speak Italian or English.
Somalia’s politicians are notoriously crooked. The odds of finding a politician in Somalia who will openly admit to indulging in activities like NFL betting or cricket betting is slim. The reason they will not openly admit to such behavior is because online betting is illegal in Somalia, in fact all types of gambling from sports betting to betting online is not allowed in the country.
The fact that Somalia does not really have a very formal system of government does not help anything. There are some politicians in the country who would like to legalize gambling in hopes of boosting the economy, but the Islamic community is largely against this change. The government leaders who do enjoy betting online have a long battle ahead of them to legalize it. The lack of access to computers and internet connectivity is another big barrier for gambling fans.
Somalia is not the most technologically advanced country in the world. Yes, there are some people who own computers and some, such as the Prime Minister and the President of the country who probably have a regular internet connection, but a majority of the country does not. If a regular citizen wants to try out some cricket betting online, currently the best option would be to travel to a different, more technologically advanced country where they will be able to find a more reliable internet connection and up-to-date servers and try to place a few wagers. It is doubtful that they will able to do much online betting once they return to their home country.
With a little courage and creativity, law makers in Somalia could see changes passed that would legalize gambling. Perhaps some of the violence would cease as the people found a distraction in cricket betting and other forms of internet gambling. The first step is taking the appropriate internet technology into the more remote areas of the country and then things will naturally progress from there. In the mean time, if you are interested in online betting sites, check out the links below to learn more:
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New Concepts for Boosting Somalia’s Economy
March 29, 2011
Government officials are searching for new methods to boost the economy of poverty ridden Somalia. They are exploring creative ideas of entrepreneurs and financial gurus around the world in hopes that something will make a difference for their citizens. One thing is certain: any new source of income is going to come from outside of the country because the inner resources are quickly becoming exhausted. The citizens of Somalia need a way that they can make an income on their own. They need job skills and access to business opportunities or potential ways to earn money. Recently, one financial genius suggested that the internet might be the answer to Somalia’s problems.
While it might be impossible to send educators and job training professionals into the country due to political unrest, you can provide the citizens with access to computers. By developing satellites that access internet connections in different parts of the country, you can connect the remote civilizations with the rest of the world. By investing in the purchase of computers for several key locations, you can offer new opportunities to Somalia that would never be possible otherwise.
The internet is a vast goldmine of money making opportunities. You can find freelance jobs in translation, writing, affiliate marketing, and more. Even if you don’t have experience, you can often get a position doing simple jobs at a low pay rate. Even this small amount could make a major difference for the people of Somalia. Another great thing about the internet is that it offers free games that could potentially give people an income too. Games like Gossip Bingo and Redbus Bingo pay large jackpots to citizens around the world for winning during jackpot promotions. While the likelihood of an instant win is slim, one large jackpot could feed a village in Somalia for many years.
Another great advantage is the entertainment factor. By allowing the people to play fun games and explore the rest of the world through the internet, you will distract many people from the violence that rules that streets. If you can re-channel the anger and aggression into a passionate energy for an online job or even for playing Diva Bingo, then you have not only helped Somalia financially, but socially as well.
These ideas have politicians considering how to channel computer technology and wireless internet access into the various villages in Somalia. In the very least, many of them have agreed to try online bingo games to see if they would be a good option for the citizens. Some government leaders have made a promise that if they win a jackpot, they will use the proceeds to help the poorest areas of the country.
If you are concerned about the people of Somalia, you can get involved and help. There are many bingo chat rooms where people are talking about human aid organizations. You can talk with others and get ideas to help Somalia fight poverty and disease. If you have never played bingo online before, here are some links to help you get started:
- Go here to play Tasty Bingo and Redbus Bingo. Both are great starting points.
- Read Diva Bingo reviews as well as reviews of various sites like Costa Bingo and Love You Bingo here.
- Learn how you can help others while chatting with friends here at Rollover Bingo.
The Life of Children in Somalia
November 10, 2010
Somalia is known around the world for being a place of major political unrest. It seems there are constantly reports of war, genocide, and Islamic hate crimes that center in Somalia. Life for a child in Somalia is not easy. In fact, the extreme dry climate makes survival difficult even in good circumstances. Many children born in Somalia come from nomads that are passing through. With so much poverty and political conflict, these children have one of the lowest survival rates of any country in the world.
Studies have shown that Somalia has an extremely high rate of infant mortality and many babies never make it into the world alive. There are high rates of stillbirth and miscarriage due to the extreme heat, lack of clean drinking water, and highly contagious diseases. Many pregnant women suffer such dehydration that their babies die and many of the mothers die as well. If the babies are born alive, the mothers have difficulty nursing when dehydration is such a problem. There is also a high risk of infection after birth due to the unsanitary conditions.
If an infant survives into childhood, there are still many risk factors to encounter. Malaria and Cholera rage at epidemic proportions throughout Somalia and these diseases are particularly deadly for the children that contract them. There are also high rates of respiratory infections and diarrhea-related illnesses which cause further dehydration and subsequent death.
Children also face illness at higher rates because of malnutrition. Their bodies are weaker with little food to strengthen them. The food they do receive is typically comprised of low quality rations prepared in unsanitary houses. If you visit a typical home in Somalia, you will see the women cooking their food over an open fire right next to the hole where they are using the bathroom. This is a huge culprit behind the high rates of disease and death.
The lack of adequate health care in Somalia is heart breaking. Simple interventions like immunizations for children, clean drinking water, and adequate nutrition could save the lives of those in Somalia. Sadly, the government unrest makes it nearly impossible for human aid agencies to get in the country to offer help to those who need it. The only hope the Somali people have for survival is peace in their capital.