Somalia food crisis reaching 'unimaginable proportions'

The levels of malnutrition among children fleeing Somalia's drought could lead to a "human tragedy of unimaginable proportions", the UN refugee head Antonio Guterres has said.

Young children are dying on their way to or within a day of arrival at camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, the UNHCR says.

It estimates that a quarter of Somalis are either displaced within the country or living outside as refugees.

The worst drought in 60 years has been compounded by the violence in Somalia.

"It's so extreme," said UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming. "Our people are saying they've never seen anything like it."

The warning comes as the UK aid agencies Oxfam, Save the Children, and the Red Cross launch emergency appeals in response to the food crisis which is affecting more than 12 million people in the Horn of Africa.

The agencies are collectively asking for nearly $150m (£93m).

The UNHCR says the need for food, shelter, health services and other life saving aid is urgent and massive. ( Read more at the BBC world online. )

To donate to the UNHCR, click here.

of interest to LA Banks fans

I'd heard via marthawells, an author I love, that LA Banks was ill. I didn't know that she was in the latter stages of adrenal cancer. If you'd like to help, there's an auction going on to help defray her mounting medical costs.

If you're not able to help, maybe spread the word around.