New York, February 25 (QNA) The United Nations predicted that 6.5 million people in Somalia will face a famine or worse by next March, an increase of 1.7 million from January estimates.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, issued by the UN and regional partners and aid organizations, stated that this number includes two million people suffering from acute food insecurity, and indicated that more than 1.8 million children under the age of five will face acute malnutrition this year.
The report indicated that nearly half a million children in Somalia are likely to suffer from severe malnutrition.
This report follows a warning issued by the World Food Programme (WFP) that its life-saving food and nutrition assistance will cease within weeks if new resources are not provided.
Somalia is facing a severe deterioration in food security and nutrition, driven by a nationwide drought emergency that has led to critical water shortages, crop and livestock losses, and widespread displacement. (QNA)