At a news conference in Mogadishu, Somalia’s special envoy for humanitarian issues on Monday said more than six million Somalis were affected by the record drought. Deaths have begun, famine is looming in some areas, and drought is turning into famine. He said the U.N. and aid agencies requested $1.4 billion for drought relief but so far received only $58 million. The humanitarian envoy also said not much attention is given to humanitarian needs because of Somalia’s focus on politics last year and a half of delayed elections. International aid agencies warned Monday that the threat of starvation was worsening in Somalia and neighboring countries across Ethiopia and Kenya.

Source: Ethiopian News May 31, 2022 11:22 UTC