Brasília – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned on Friday (5) that the tendency is for growth in areas facing hunger in Somalia. In the country alone, 3.7 million people face the problem, of which 3.2 million need immediate assistance. The forecast is that, in up to six weeks, hunger should spread to other areas of the country and to its neighbours.
According to FAO analysts, the estimate is that hunger should persist up to December this year. The crisis has worsened with drought and domestic conflicts. According to recent figures, 30% of the country’s population is undernourished and two out of ten die of hunger.
Lack of food also threatens around 12.4 million people who live in the neighbouring countries, like Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya. Somalia and Djibouti are Arab nations. The FAO has called for international assistance in the attempt to obtain funds to aid the most vulnerable families in Somalia.
The measures include from the supply of food, medication and vaccines for treatment to programs for income transfer. There are also projects for distribution of seeds and inputs to stimulate cultivation in the region. The United Nations (UN) is also preparing the construction of housing for refugees trying to escape hunger and domestic conflicts.
*Translated by Mark Ament
