Famine is not a synonym for drought

Last week numerous relief agencies operating in the area observed that famine exists in two regions of southern Somalia:southern Bakool and Lower Shebelle.They further warned that more regions were to succumb to famine in coming days.On the contrary the Islamist in control dismissed relief agencies observation as not true.

Drought is caused by shortage of water thus a climatic condition.If not prepared for or planned against leads to failure of harvest hence food shortage.

Famine is shortage of food.It is caused by decline in availability of food or reduction in people's access to it.In recent times it has come to be understood that famine can occur where overall food availability has not declined.It is in most cases human induced and actions of man have caused severe famines in history.

Access to Somalia is not an easy task.Relief agencies fear for their members lives and their is access is subject to vetting from the Islamist groups controlling most parts of southern Somalia.