famine

The ongoing conflict with Boko Haram in West Africa has pushed the number of people facing the threat of severe hunger to more than 6 million according to the latest assessments, say 15 humanitarian organizations. 

Somalia’s financial lifeline remains under threat as banks in US, UK, Australia, and elsewhere have broken ties with the money transfer operators that make remittances possible, NGOs warn.

We are seriously concerned that a lack of food may peak in May and June reaching emergency levels in South Sudan.

Agencies fear recent improvements will be wiped out as the number of severely hungry people will rise by one million in first three months of 2015.

Without an end to the fighting – and unless more aid can be delivered to those who need it – famine remains a serious threat in South Sudan in 2015. By committing to more vigorous diplomacy and swift action, the world has the chance to prevent that. 

Our friends at Africa Research Institute have developed a useful timeline to track the development of the food crisis in Somalia month by month.

In the middle of 2011 a massive food crisis hit East Africa and the first famine of the 21st century was declared in Somalia.

A group of seven major international aid agencies said they face a shortfall of $89 million just when the South Sudan humanitarian crisis edges closer to the risk of famine.

Responding to Thursday's FEWSNET

A new survey of people across 40 regions of Somalia by international agency Oxfam has found that water and food shortages are at critical levels and likely to deteriorate in parts of the country over the coming months, risking a prolonged humanitarian crisis well into next year.