WUNRN
UN News Centre
UN OFFICIAL VOICES CONCERN OVER
REPORTS OF RAPE OF SOMALI WOMEN & GIRLS FLEEING FAMINE
11 August 2011 – The
United Nations official leading the fight against sexual violence in times of
conflict today voiced concern over reports that women and girls fleeing famine
in
“During the long and perilous journey from
“Once they cross the Somalia-Kenya border or reach Dadaab – the
world’s largest refugee settlement – their hopes of finding a safe haven are
often overshadowed by new dangers and hardships, including the risk of rape,”
she said.
Ms. Wallström said that the office had also received alarming
information about alleged rape by
“I call on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease
these gross violations of human rights,” she said.
She commended the Kenyan authorities for the efforts to respond
to the influx of tens of thousands of Somali refugees, and urged the donor
community to make greater resources and support available to the Kenyan
Government, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) responding to
the crisis.
“There is an urgent need for services to be provided to
survivors of sexual violence and for effective camp management to minimize the
risks facing women and girls. We should also improve monitoring and reporting
on sexual violence to better inform our actions,” said Ms. Wallström, pledging
to continue monitoring the situation closely.
According to humanitarian agencies, an estimated 3.7 million
people, nearly half of them from