AFRICA - A new wave of drought could affect children at risk for malnutrition and disease

Rome (Fides Service) - According to the World Food Programme WFP the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF living conditions of people in east Africa, in particular children at risk of malnutrition and disease, may worsen in view of a forecasted new wave of drought.
The supply of food necessary for millions of people is jeopardised by a forecasted drought in April and the number of families in need could rise sharply.
In February the government of Kenya and the UN aid agencies appealed for 221 million dollars to feed 3.5 million people victims of drought to avoid a famine.
About 395.000 tons of food are needed in the districts of the north where malnutrition among children under five varies between 18 and 30 percent considering that 15 percent is the level of emergency.
In Kenya, 80% of the land is arid or semiarid and in the most affected areas the people are mainly herdsmen. But 70 per cent of the animals have already died and unless there is rain the rest will die soon. (AP (3/3/2006 Agenzia Fides; Righe:21; Parole: 215