Local Editor

The United Nations' aid chief for Somalia pleaded for cash Thursday to stave off starvation amid intense drought affecting a million people and to pull the war-torn country "back from the tipping point."

"Urgent action is required right now. If not, we risk a rapid and deep deterioration of the situation, as drought conditions may worsen in the coming months," UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Peter de Clercq said, appealing for $105 million for "life-saving" aid for more than one million people.

"Communities are already losing their means of survival. The time to fund is now, to come back from the tipping point, avoid a greater crisis and avert loss of lives," he added.

The UN further noted that "malnutrition-related deaths" have already been reported.

Northern Somali areas are especially hard hit, with some 385,000 people in acute need of food aid, with that figure feared to quadruple without help.

"The severe drought conditions have taken a toll on lives and livelihoods. If funding is not secured now, the consequences will be grave," a UN statement added.

In this regard, the UN children's agency UNICEF said that 435,000 children are affected by severe malnutrition in Ethiopia, over double the usual number.

For its part, World Food Program chief for Ethiopia John Aylieff said in Addis Ababa. "The ability of the drought affected population to meet their own food needs is very, very limited."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team