SOMALIA: Severe Risk of Diseases Due to Famine
The African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF) says:
At least 1.4 million people are facing a humanitarian emergency in southern and central Somalia and if sufficient food and water is not provided urgently, there is risk of an all out famine. The failure of both rainy seasons in 2005 has led to minimal harvests and acute lack of water and pasture. This, combined with ongoing civil strife for more than 15 years, has led to the worst food security situation the country has ever faced. One of the most affected regions is Gedo in the south of the country, where the African and Medical Research Foundation (AMREF) works. Cattle carcasses are strewn along the roadsides and on the edge of villages, and it is estimated that 80% of the cattle will perish by April. This is particularly disturbing, as more than half of the population are nomadic cattle herders.