Famine in Somalia: What can be done to stave it off? | The Stream

The world's worst famine in a century is looming over parts of Somalia, and time is running out to save people there from starvation, the United Nations (UN) has warned.

The Horn of Africa is experiencing its fifth consecutive season of drought, which is being felt most acutely in Somalia. There, the UN has called for at least $1 billion in aid to help the nearly eight million Somalis at risk of famine-related deaths in the coming months.

The region has faced similar crises in the past, including in 2011, when more than 200,000 people died of starvation. But aid groups say the humanitarian situation has never been this critical.

Many advocates add that international help must go beyond immediate financial relief. As the Horn of Africa becomes warmer and drier because of climate change, its people will need sustainable solutions that break the cycle of dependency.

In this episode of The Stream, we'll discuss the looming famine in the Horn of Africa with a focus on Somalia, and what challenges aid groups are facing as well as what can be done to help.

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