AFRICA/SOMALIA-Severe food crisis in the country affected by drought and conflict

Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) - The recent drought has wiped out most of the cattle in the Somali region and has caused a surge in grain prices throughout the country. The rains expected this year arrived late and inadequate for the recovery of the communities. Although East Africa is subject to recurrent drought, this year the situation was particularly serious. According to the report of the Nutrition and Food Security Analysis Unit (FSNAU), reported by the Catholic Information Service for Africa, 2.4 million Somalis, about a third of the country's population, currently live a serious crisis due to one of the worst droughts in recent history and to the current conflict. Most poor households depend on local production of cheaper grain and a poor harvest could further increase prices, making the purchase of food extremely difficult for most of the Somalis who live on less than a dollar a day. In some areas of Somalia, particularly those in the south, malnutrition affects 30% of the population. Over 55 thousand people were displaced following the recent drought, and many others are migrating to urban areas in search of food and water. For farmers and shepherds it will take several seasons to recover their means of support. Due to the significant decrease of funding, aid agencies do not have sufficient resources to meet the needs of all those who need help. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 16/05/2011)