Somalia is currently  one of the most dangerous and difficult countries in the world  to work in.

Somalia also has the highest number of internally displaced people (IDP’s), people who have been forced to flee from their homes  due to violence and fighting.

The fighting is between government forces and  gunmen loyal to the hard-line  fundamentalist group, Al Shabaab.

According to the UN, Somalia is currently the “WORLD’S WORST HUMANITARIAN CRISIS”

In Somalia tens of thousands of children are suffering from violence and famine (through drought), many have lost their parents and homes, they are not being educated and do not have access to health clinics let alone  clean water and a meal (things we take for granted)

As with any  natural disaster,  drought, famine , war  or conflict,  children are always  the worst affected , the innocent victims.

Over the years  of working in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan,  Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Sudan, Ethiopia and  throughout Africa I have come in contact with thousands of  traumatised children, many who have lost parents to violence , tens of thousands  of malnourished children suffering through famine  and not to mention those suffering from sickness or disease . It is very difficult to deal with.  I have often wondered what  it would be like if it was one of my own children.

The task is so vast  and the needs so great it makes one feel quite helpless, but it is always better to help someone than no-one, to do something rather than  do nothing.

Wiila, a 10-year old girl from Madina. She fled the conflict area after her parents and grandmother were killed in a militia operation in Madina.