East Africa is currently experiencing the worst drought to hit the region in 60 years. It is predicted that the entire south of Somalia will face famine within the next two months. Other countries in the Horn of Africa are being severely affected by drought. Successive seasons of failed rains, combined with increasing food prices, conflict and limited humanitarian access, have resulted in food and water shortages, acute malnutrition and mass displacement throughout the region. The lack of rain has also contributed to massive livestock deaths undermining the livelihoods of those who depend on them for economic and food security. To help us look at this worrying scenario, we are joined on the line by:
Challiss McDonough: Senior Regional Spokeswoman, World Food Programme (WFP), Nairobi, Kenya:
Susannah Price: Chief of Communication, UNICEF Somalia
Dr. Patrick Mbugua: Somalia Researcher: Amnesty International Regional Office for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes based in Nairobi, Kenya
