UN warns that Somalian famine is spreading

The famine gripping parts of southern Somalia has spread to three new areas of the country, the United Nations warned yesterday, with the entire south likely to be declared a famine zone within the next six weeks. A famine was declared in two areas in the south in July, and the UN said the response has been inadequate.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation's Somalia food security unit said malnutrition and death rates surpassed famine thresholds in Balcad and Cadale, and among the refugee populace in Mogadishu and the Afgooye corridor.