Millions still rely on aid after famine

AFRICA: More than nine million people in the Horn of Africa need humanitarian assistance a year on from the declaration of famine, according to the United Nations.

In Somalia, the worst-affected country, some 2.5 million people are still surviving on aid.

‘‘Mortality and malnutrition rates in Somalia have improved dramatically but remain among the highest in the world,’’ said UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden.

The UN declared famine in parts of the country on July 20 last year, the first time since the 1990s that the term had been used officially. The famine classification was lifted in February, but tens of thousands are believed to have died and experts expect that cyclical drought will continue to blight the region.

Aid agencies warn that a further 1.3 million of Somalia’s population could slide back into crisis over the next two months.

‘‘In 2011, the world didn’t act until famine was declared, and the delay cost lives and money,’’ said Oxfam’s director for Somalia, Senait Gebregziabher.

‘‘Now, with the warning signs of a worsening crisis, lessons from last year must be learnt.’’

Britain gave generously during last year’s emergency, with members of the public donating £79 million (NZ$155m) during a fundraising drive by the Disasters Emergency Committee.

But the UN continues to appeal for funds, with donors having provided only half the cash it needs for its efforts in Somalia.

The situation in the war-torn country is exacerbated by an Islamist insurgency and military operations by African Union and Somali government forces against al-Shabaab militants.

The UN refugee agency announced earlier this week that the number of people who had fled Somalia since the country descended into violence in 1991 had topped the million mark.

Many people have also been displaced within the country, with tens of thousands pouring into the battle-scarred capital Mogadishu last year.

Mustaf Abdi Adan fled the famine in the hard-hit Bay region and has since been living in a makeshift shelter in a camp for displaced persons in the capital. ‘‘Life is really not good here,’’ said Adan. ‘‘It is better than it was last year but we still don’t have enough food.’’