Clay Aiken calls attention to Somalia
Clay Aiken is urging the world not to forget about Somalia.
The American Idol runner-up and a U.N. goodwill ambassador, appealed for world attention on the war-torn and hunger-stricken country on Wednesday.
“There hasn’t been much discussion of Somalia since the early 1990s in the U.S.,” Clay said during a visit to Somalia. “The American population kind of got a bad taste of Somalia in the early 90s and hasn’t really had much interest in the country since.”
In the past year, thousands of Somalians have died and one million were rendered homeless after insurgent Islamists rallied against the country’s government and its Ethiopian military advisers last year. The violence and never-ending conflict has made Somalia “the most dangerous place for a child to be,” Clay says.
“In the lower part of the country, southern part, I feel it’s a more desperate situation than any place we’ve ever been,” he says.
The diamond in the rough is the de facto independent state of the Republic of Somaliland, located north of Somalia. In existence since 1960, Somaliland remains relatively peaceful, but its independent status has yet to be recognized. Officials are hopeful a public figure of Clay’s stature will shed more light on their difficult situation.
“In Somaliland, you really do have a sense of people who really want to help themselves, who want to do better, who want to effect change for themselves, that is very hopeful,” Clay says.
WENN
June 26th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I hope people will take notice! And Clay Aiken, thank you! Please continue the good deed!!!
June 26th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Now this is news worth reading! instead of celebrity gossip !! You have a man going the extra distance touching lives and bringing hope to children living in horrible conditions!! Thanks unicef for choosing this wonderful man !!
June 26th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Clay is truly making a difference, using his celebrity for good. UNICEF does so much for the children of the world. This is Clay’s fifth UNICEF trip. UNICEF could not of picked a more caring Ambassador
June 27th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
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The greatest glory never comes from winning, but from rising each time you fall. A person is defined by what he chooses to do with his life, not by what happens to him.
Clay Aiken
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What Clay Aiken has chosen to do with what he was blessed with is truly remarkable. He has over and over stepped up to the plate to reach out to others , to go beyond himself to make a difference in the world . Please take a moment to donate to his charities to help this man help others. I truly admire and feel grateful to have him in UNICEF ……Clay is the true “MEASURE OF A MAN”!