UN agencies call for efforts to promote breastfeeding in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – The UNICEF and the WHO on Monday called for concerted efforts to ensure breastfeeding-friendly environments in all health facilities and workplaces to help improve breastfeeding in the country to boost nutrition and health of Somali children.

Wafaa Saeed, a UNICEF representative in Somalia, said breastfeeding provides children the best start in life.

“Breast milk helps prevent infections, promotes bonding between mother and child, regardless of setting, and provides food and nutrition security to infants from the very beginning of life, contributing to the food security of the whole family,” she said.

In a fragile country like Somalia, affected by conflict and recurring emergencies such as drought, COVID-19, and other diseases, breastfeeding is an effective way to ensure child health and survival, she added.

Citing latest government data, the statement said only 34% of babies under six months are exclusively breastfed in Somalia.

Efforts under the country’s national nutrition strategy 2020-2025 will be scaled up with the primary goal to increase the number of babies aged 0-6 months old who are exclusively breastfed to above 50% by 2025, it added.