Every year on 12th November, World Pneumonia Day unites global efforts to combat pneumonia, a preventable and treatable disease that remains the leading killer of children under five years old. Despite significant progress in global health, pneumonia continues to claim the lives of 1.6 million children annually—a staggering number that exceeds deaths caused by AIDS, malaria, and measles combined. This silent killer sickens over 155 million children under 5 each year, yet it receives limited media attention, hindering the public’s awareness of this crisis.
The first World Pneumonia Day, held in 2009, was launched by the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia, a network of over 100 organizations committed to fighting this disease. Since then, it has served as a platform to spotlight pneumonia’s devastating impact, encouraging governments, policy makers, grassroots organizers, and the global community to take action.
As part of these global efforts, Y-PEER Somalia is hosting a commemoration event on 12th November 2024 in Somalia. This event will bring together partners, civil society organizations, and health practitioners to raise awareness, share strategies, and mobilize resources in the fight against pneumonia. The event will highlight the importance of preventive measures, including vaccines, antibiotics, improved nutrition, and access to clean water, all of which are essential in reducing the burden of pneumonia on children.
Y-PEER Somalia is committed to advocating for stronger health systems, ensuring that communities have access to life-saving treatments and preventive care. Through this commemoration event, we aim to foster collaboration and inspire action among youth leaders, health advocates, and community members to combat pneumonia and protect the most vulnerable—our children.
Y-PEER Somalia encourages everyone—especially youth and community leaders—to get involved. This World Pneumonia Day, let’s unite our efforts to raise awareness and take action, ensuring that no child in Somalia or beyond dies from this preventable disease.
