Somali children dream of a hunger-free future during launch of World Vision's ENOUGH campaign

Somali children envision a future where no child goes to bed hungry and every child thrives with proper nutrition. On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, we launched the ENOUGH Campaign in Mogadishu. The launch was well-attended, with representation from the Government; including the Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia as the Chief Guest, distinguished ministers and members of parliament, UN country representatives from WFP, OCHA, UNICEF, and FAO, civil society organisations, local and international organisations, children's rights advocates, donors, and World Vision employees. 

We had the great honor of listening to children who spoke powerfully, challenging leaders present that words alone were not enough and it was time to translate the commitments made into reality for the Somali children. From their speeches to the entertainment, to their call to action, children expressed to attendees the Somalia they would like to see and grow up in: a Somalia where no child goes to bed hungry and every child thrives with proper nutrition.

“We, on behalf of the children of Somalia, stand united with a plea from our hearts. Despite the challenges we face in Somalia, we dream of a future where no child in Somalia goes to bed hungry, where every child thrives with proper nutrition, and where our voices echo in the halls like this and in the forums of decision-making,” 11-year-old Hawa declared.

The children highlighted the pressing challenges facing Somali children, including the devastating impact of climate change, which manifests in recurrent droughts and floods that adversely affect food production and availability. “Children across much of the country are bearing the brunt of this devastating drought and floods, crying out in hunger with limited assistance available,” the children advocates declared.

They also brought to light the challenge of inadequate access to nutritious food, particularly highlighting the plight of children living in makeshift settlements for the displaced. “During our visit to the IDP camps in Mogadishu, we observed children suffering from acute malnutrition due to inadequate access to food. Many of these children are forced to work to provide food for their families. The hunger they experience at night impairs their ability to function during the day,” 15-year-old Ahmed read out.

Hawa also highlighted the struggles of accessing clean water which have been exacerbated by frequent droughts. “Somalia is prone to recurrent drought that severely reduce water resources, leaving many communities, including the (internally dispolaced people) IDPs, without access to reliable sources of clean water,” she read. “Years of civil war and political instability have also destroyed or damaged water infrastructure, such as wells, pipelines, and water treatment facilities, limiting access to clean water nationwide.”

She also spoke of the impact of poverty. “When parents are living in poverty, they often lack the means to provide their children with quality, nutritious food. As a result, the children become underweight, which can then impair their ability to focus and learn in schools. Addressing the root causes of poverty, such as instability, displacement and lack of access to education, is crucial to ensure that all children have the nutrition and resources they need to thrive in school and beyond.”

Through their Call to Action, the children urged the government to:

• further reduce the taxes on essential foods to enable people to access them at affordable prices,
• facilitate farming activities and create jobs for parents, improve access to education for children in vulnerable communities,
• increase access to economic programs to lift people out of poverty, 
• create small business opportunities to enable families to generate income, among other recommendations.

14-year-old Sumaya emphasised that children face unique challenges that adults may not fully understand. “Children must, therefore, be represented in all forums of discussion on matters that affect them. For example, if the government decides to make changes to the education system, they must consult with the children as it directly impacts their lives,” she read.

“One of the key advocacy asks of the ENOUGH Campaign is listening to children, ensuring their voices are heard, and that they shape relevant decisions and policy processes around hunger, nutrition, and food security at all levels,” outlined Ruth Koshal, the Director of Advocacy and External Engagement for World Vision East Africa when she presented the outcomes of the three-year Campaign during the launch.

As children representing the voices of the Somali children, we request the government of Somalia and partners to include children in all initiatives aimed at ending child hunger and malnutrition, the children declared.

In conclusion, dear leaders, donors and partners we want you to:

• See Us, Hear Us: Ensure that our needs and voices are visible in all policies related to hunger, nutrition, education and food security. We deserve to be part of the conversation, not just statistics.
• Nourish Our Future: Please prioritise services that provide us with better food security, better nutrition, and better resilience. We want to grow up strong, healthy, and hopeful.
• Understand Our Struggle: We are glad that a representative from the Ministry of planning and National Bureau of Statistics is here. We want you to shine a light on the reality of child hunger and malnutrition in Somalia.
• Be our heroes! Fund programmes that provide nutritious meals, clean water, and education.