Horn of Africa drought 'beyond imagination' - UK

 The drought in Somalia has led to mass displacement image caption: The drought in Somalia has led to mass displacements

The UK's Minister for Africa has issued a damning warning that the Horn of Africa is suffering its the worst drought in decades with millions suffering its impact.

“It’s beyond imagination,” says the minister, Vicky Ford.

More than seven million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

This has led to mass displacements as people trek for hundreds of kilometers in a desperate search for food and water.

Four consecutive failed rainy seasons, armed conflict, rising food costs, and the impact of Covid-19 are fuelling this enormous humanitarian crisis.

The UK minister is now calling for partners and international donors to act urgently to prevent a large-scale loss of life.

In Somalia alone, more than 380,000 children are considered severely malnourished and at risk of dying before the end of the year, according to Ms. Ford.

The UK government has committed to spending £150m ($178m) this year on humanitarian assistance in the Horn of Africa region. So far, £76m has been spent.

Somalia is the worst affected country but millions more in southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya are also suffering because of the drought.

Source: BBC