El Nino to worsen East Africa hunger: UN
The number of people going hungry in east Africa, particularly in drought-stricken Ethiopia, has risen dramatically mainly due to El Nino-caused floods and failed rains, the UN says.
"Due to El Nino, food insecurity is forecast to worsen over the coming months, especially in Ethiopia and by the beginning of 2016 the number of people who are food insecure and in need of humanitarian assistance is expected to increase to 32.1 million," the UN said in a report on Thursday.
It warned that "up to two million people could be affected by flooding."
According to the report, the number has already increased from 18.5 million to 25.3 million people since May.
While some countries such as Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Djibouti could see drier conditions, other countries like Kenya, Somalia and Uganda are at risk of floods.
The UN report said over 90 000 people in war-torn southern Somalia have already been hit by weeks of severe flooding, almost half of them forced from their homes.
In Ethiopia, El Nino has "wreaked havoc" on summer rains needed by farmers for their crops, with around 8.2 million people needing food aid, nearly double the number in need six months ago.
"This comes on the heels of failed spring rains, and has driven food insecurity, malnutrition and water shortages," the UN said, expressing "fears that this figure will continue to grow."
El Nino is characterized by the warming of surface waters in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, which is connected with drought in Southeast Asia and Australia and heavy rains in South America.
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