Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Up to 400,000 children at risk in African famine, warns Britain

Charlotte McDonald-Gibson
Thursday 18 August 2011 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Up to 400,000 children could starve to death unless more aid reaches the victims of the east Africa famine soon, Britain's International Development Secretary warned yesterday.

Andrew Mitchell's comments, a day after the United Nations said 10 children were dying each day in one Ethiopian refugee camp, came as Muslim nations met in Istanbul to try to hammer out a plan to provide assistance to the 12 million people in the Horn of Africa who are urgently in need of food.

"The stark fact is that in southern Somalia the situation is deteriorating by the day," Mr Mitchell said while visiting Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.

"We could face deaths on a similar scale to those seen in 1991-92 if we do not act urgently,"

The famine has claimed thousands of lives, with Somalia hit hardest. The conflict raging between Islamist militants and the government has hampered delivery of aid.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in