* Nearly 12 million people in the Horn of Africa are in food crisis. Somalia, which already had one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world, is the hardest hit.
* Despite progress being made in the last seven days with donor governments pledging support, a shortfall of around 800 million USD still remains.
* High cereal and fuel prices were making pastoralists’ lives difficult before the current drought. Cereal prices are at an all-time high, with the cost of some commodities up by 270% in some southern areas of Somalia.
* According to the ODI, 'It is far too late to address anything but the worst symptoms. Measures that could have kept animals alive – and provided milk, and income to buy food – would have been much cheaper than feeding malnourished children, but the time for those passed with very little investment.’
* USAID issued early warning about food security in East Africa in November 2010.
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This press release is reprinted by Alanna Shaikh out of an obscure sense of guilt. It does not represent the opinions of Alanna Shaikh or any of her employers.
Somalia is in such need, it breaks my heart seeing them in Famine.
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