An important measure of a nation's well being is how well its children and mothers are doing. Sadly, prolonged conflict has cut deeply into Somalia's social fabric and opportunities for the future.

Rates of child mortality and illness are among the highest in the world. A survey in 2000 indicated that almost 25 per cent of children die before their fifth birthday, mostly from preventable respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases.

Malnutrition is a chronic problem. Twenty five per cent of children are underweight.

For every 100,000 children born, some 1,600 mothers die from prolonged and obstructed labour, haemorraging and infections.

Fewer than one in four Somalis has access to safe drinking water and less than half the population has access to sanitary means of excreta disposal.

UNICEF Primary School Survey figures for 2003-2004 indicated that only 19.9 per cent of children were enrolled in primary schools.

Closing this daunting round of statistics is the fact that average life expectancy at birth in Somalia is just 46.2 years.

Somali text

Seventeen United Nations organizations, agencies, offices and programmes are at work in 28 locations throughout Somalia.

During the almost 16 years of civil conflict in a nation without a central authority, this work would not have been possible without Somali nationals - staff, community workers, women and youth groups, religious and other leaders - who believe that peace is possible.

Wherever the UN has found relative security and a 'humanitarian space' in which to assist local communities, many thousands have reaped the benefit. Peace Day is a tribute to the courage and perseverance of Somalia's humanitarian workers, often in the face of great danger and uncertainty.
Time and again they have proven that Peace Works !

Somali text