BBC News Online: World: Africa

Starvation threat in Somalia

People are leaving their homes in search of food

It said the situation was very serious in the south of the country after the rains and then crops failed.

World Food Programme officer Jeremy Hopkins who is back from the area told the BBC's Network Africa programme that the WFP was appealing for 40,000 tonnes of food, without which Somalia would be in serious trouble.

He also said the organisation was trying to expand a programme in which people were given food in exchange for work.

"This would give them reason to stay in their area until the next planting season as we hope for rain, Mr Hopkins said."

Early migration

The WFP in August had warned this year's harvest of the staple food sorghum will fall below 10% of the expected average.

It had also said that the dry weather in March and April had forced some families to begin early migration in search of food and grazing land for their cattle.

Feeding centres were also recording high numbers of women and children turning up for food parcels.

According to Mr Hopkins the situation remains the same.

He said: "Fields are totally bare compared to last year when they were filled with wonderful green sorghum crops."

Insecurity

The regions worst affected by the drought conditions include Gedo, Bay and Bakol, bordering north-eastern Kenya and south-eastern Ethiopia.

The WFP said that although there is food for sale in the market they remain unaffordable to those who normally rely on their own harvest.

Drought is not the only reason for food shortage in the country.

Instability caused by years of inter clan fighting have also contributed to the country's food problems.