Food crisis looms in East Africa

The WFP fears that if rains fail, food shortages will get worse More than 14 million people in the Horn of Africa need food aid because of drought and rocketing food and fuel prices, the United Nations has warned. The UN World Food Programme says it urgently needs $400m (£200m) to prevent starvation in the east African region. Ethiopia is worst hit, with 10 million people - some 12% of the population - in need of extra food supplies. Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti are also affected, along with northern parts of Kenya and Uganda. Dire consequences Economic events outside Africa - which are driving up food and fuel prices - are exacerbating the crisis caused by a lack of water in the region. The UN - backed by the main international aid non-governmental organisations - has warned of dire consequences for millions of people... [read full story]