Millions face starvation in Horn of Africa

MILLIONS of people in the Horn of Africa are “on the brink of starvation” because of severe drought, with deaths already reported in Kenya, the United Nations warned yesterday.

An estimated 11 million people in Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia need food aid - while water, new livestock and seeds are also needed across the region - the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation said in a statement.

The agency issued what it called a special alert saying: "Millions of people are on the brink of starvation in the Horn of Africa due to recent severe droughts coupled with the effects of past and ongoing conflicts."