Eleven million people facing hunger - FAO

An estimated 11 million people in the Horn of Africa are "on the brink of starvation" following a severe drought that has already caused some deaths, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned. "In Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia more than 11 million people are estimated to be in need of assistance," FAO said in a statement. Those hardest hit are pastoralists, who usually travel with their animals in search of pasture and water. FAO said severe drought followed the failure of seasonal rains in many areas. Past and ongoing conflicts had also exacerbated the situation. Kenya needed water for people and animals, seeds for farmers in preparation for the next planting season, and replenishment of livestock, the agency said on Friday. "Crop failure and depletion of livestock herds due to prolonged drought have led to famine conditions with some deaths reported in the arid areas," the report said. The Kenyan government has declared a famine and needs US $150 million to feed about 2.5 million people - nearly 10 percent of the population - over the next six months. Somalia has also been hard hit, particularly in the south. "Food shortages are particularly grave in Somalia, where about two million people need humanitarian assistance," FAO said. According to the UN World Food Programme, about 64,000 tonnes of food aid are needed until June 2006 to feed the drought-affected population. However, only 16,700 tonnes are available. Drought conditions in Djibouti have also worsened. "With no relief until the rains return in March, the country's pastures will continue to deteriorate," the agency reported. The FAO said starvation was also stalking Ethiopia. "Initial estimates indicate more than one million people in [Ethiopia's eastern] Somali Region to be facing severe food shortages. Over US $40 million is urgently required to stave off starvation," it said. "The onset of the dry season (January to March) is expected to worsen the situation." Currently, more than eight million Ethiopians rely on food assistance.