The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the fallout from the ongoing war have triggered increases in fuel and food prices, disrupting supply chains in several countries, including Somalia, where an already severe hunger crisis has worsened, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).
The WFP said Somalia is currently facing one of the “most complex hunger crises in recent years” due to prolonged drought, conflict and limited humanitarian assistance.
According to the agency’s latest findings, the number of people experiencing “crisis-level hunger or worse” in Somalia has nearly doubled over the past year to 6.5 million.
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Of them, around two million people are suffering from “emergency hunger”, described as the second-highest level of food insecurity.
Hameed Nuru, WFP country director in Somalia, told Al Jazeera that many families are once again being forced to make extremely difficult decisions.
“Entire families have had to once again make the toughest choices,” Nuru said.
“Sell the little assets they had, reduce or completely cut meals, and leave everything behind to find help – but this time there’s no help available,” he added.
Source: Al Jazeera