The United Nations reported that the hunger crisis in Somalia was worsening, while the International Committee of the Red Cross said it would step up relief efforts in Somalia and Ethiopia.

THE west African nation of Niger is suffering “an acute humanitarian crisis” in which children are dying because the world community has ignored appeals for urgent aid, the UN humanitarian chief said yesterday.

Poor rains and high crop prices have left more than 18 million people with serious food shortages in 10 African countries, a food security monitoring group said.