Somalia famine threatens four million people

Famine has spread into another region of Somalia, leaving four million people in crisis, the United Nations said.

Southern Somalia’s Bay region is the latest to be declared a famine zone.

Six areas, including four southern Somali regions and two settlements of internally displaced people, are now suffering from famine. Around 750,000 people are at risk of dying in the next four months if there is no adequate response.

The UN says tens of thousands of people already have died in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti due to the severe violence, drought and famine that still has not peaked. More than 150,000 refugees have sought aid in the last few months.

Somalia has been hit hardest, its problems compounded by the fact it has not had functioning government since 1991.