Somalia drought ‘extremely critical’ but no famine projected

By CARA ANNA
Associated Press

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Food security experts say life remains “extremely critical” for more than 6 million hungry people in Somalia’s historic drought, but they no longer project famine for the worst-hit population of nearly a quarter-million people between April and June. The latest assessment released Tuesday by United Nations and partner organizations notes “very high mortality rates” in the worst-affected populations. The assessment only slightly eases the warnings of acute food insecurity as the Horn of Africa faces the possibility of a sixth straight failed rainy season in the weeks ahead.