Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Over 17 Mln People Face Food Shortages in Horn of Africa Region: FAO

Over 17 Mln People Face Food  Shortages in Horn of Africa Region: FAO

NAIROBI - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations said on Sunday that more than 17 million people are currently in crisis and emergency food insecurity levels in the Horn of African region.
FAO said widespread drought conditions in the Horn of Africa have intensified since the failure of the October-December rains with only one-quarter of expected rainfall received.
FAO Deputy Director-General, Climate and Natural Resources, Maria Helena Semedo warned that if response is not immediate and sufficient, the risks are massive and the costs high.
"The magnitude of the situation calls for scaled-up action and coordination at national and regional levels. This is, above all, a livelihoods and humanitarian emergency -- and the time to act is now," Semedo said in a statement received in Nairobi.
The UN food agency said the 17 million people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance are in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
Currently, close to 12 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are in need of food assistance, as families face limited access to food and income, together with rising debt, low cereal and seed stocks, and low milk and meat production.
A pre-famine alert has been issued for Somalia and an immediate and humanitarian response is highly required. (Xinhua)