WFP warns of looming famine in somalia

The World Food Program warned Friday that a major famine disaster was in the offing in some parts of Somalia if the anticipated rainy season fails.

The situation, the agency said, was pathetic in the southern regions of Bakool, Gedo, Bay and Hiran, where about 450,000 inhabitants do not have enough to meet their daily food needs.

"We are still five to six months away from the next harvest. Even if we do get some rains, it won't solve the immediate needs of the people most in need," Kevin Farrell, WFP representative for Somalia, warned in a statement.

Elsewhere in the north-east, north-west and central regions of the country, up to 200,000 people are facing food and water shortages as well.

The regions have suffered seven consecutive poor harvests and three poor rainy seasons, drastically reducing crops and livestock, which are the mainstay of the economy.

"We are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst," Randolph Kent, the UN resident and Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Somalia said.

"The UN is already there on the ground, looking at ways to gear up operations if things get worse," he assured.

Climate experts predict that there is a 50-percent chance the April long rains - which account for three quarters of yearly crop yields, and are crucial to livestock pasture - might fail, "tipping the balance from misery to tragedy."

Malnutrition in children under five years has also recorded an alarming rise in some areas in the country.

According to recent surveys by UNICEF, malnutrition has reached 30 percent in Rabule, 22 in Hoddur and 21 in Hoddur townships of Bakool region, while Bardera in Gedo region recorded 24 percent each.

Wells are also reportedly drying up due to overuse by people, with over-crowding of livestock around the meager water sources.

The drought has also forced hundreds of families to migrate to riverine areas south of Baidoa and Mogadishu, while others have crossed to neighboring countries in the hope of finding better conditions there.

The security situation in the country has also compounded the already fragile situation, since humanitarian food convoys, though heavily guarded, are often at risk from armed bandits.