UNICEF warning about North Africa

UN agencies for months have warned of impending famine in the Horn of Africa, where the worst drought in 40 years has affected more than 20 million people in several countries.

More than 20 million people, including 10 million children, in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia will need food and water assistance by 2022.

The scale of displacement is huge, with Somalia having 3.7 million and Ethiopia having 4.2 million internally displaced, and 800,000 refugees.

Lack of access to safe water endangers a child's chance of survival. Lack of water increases the risk of diarrhea, which is the leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age.

The resulting loss of nutritious food, coupled with poor access to safe water and sanitation, puts children at high risk of malnutrition.

Families on the move or in emergency camps are at risk of violence or abuse. Also, women and children have to spend more time to collect water, which exposes them to unsafe movement.

 

_{Source: UN, UNICEF}