UN declares famine in two parts of southern Somalia

The United Nations said Wednesday that famine has hit two parts of rebel-held Somalia, due to a severe drought affecting more than 10 million people in the Horn of Africa.

"The United Nations declared today that famine exists in two regions of southern Somalia: southern Bakool, and Lower Shabelle," a statement by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for Somalia said.

Both are areas controlled by Al-Qaeda inspired Shebab insurgents.

"Across the country nearly half of the Somali population -- 3.7 million people -- are now in crisis, of whom an estimated 2.8 million people are in the south," the statement read.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/world/africa/un-declares-famine-two-parts-southern-somalia-850