NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The U.N. says Somali children are more likely to die before they turn 5 than those in any other country in the world.
Somalia’s child mortality rate in 2010 stood at 180 deaths per 1,000 live births. That now ranks as the worst in the world. Analysts also say even more children are dying now because of widespread famine and disease.
Friday’s press release says less than a third of 1-year-olds are immunized against deadly diseases, and more than 70 percent of the population doesn’t have clean water.
The U.N. has declared six areas in south-central Somalia famine zones. It also says cases of measles, pneumonia, and diarrhea are increasing and set to spike during rainy season in October.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.