New York (United Nations), 20/12/2022 (MAP)- Famine is fast approaching in Somalia and more than 700,000 people could face starvation next year, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Tuesday, citing the latest Integrated Food Security Phase (IPC) analysis.

However, there is still time to meet the needs of rural communities who are among those most at risk, the UN agency said, adding that large-scale investment in resilience and livelihood support is also required to break the hunger cycle.

« Sustained levels of at-scale support will be required well into mid to late 2023, if we are to prevent, not just delay famine, » said Etienne Peterschmitt, FAO Representative in the country.

Somalia has been pushed to the brink of famine due to historic drought triggered by five consecutive failed rainy seasons, spiralling food prices and intensifying conflict.

Nearly two million people are expected to be in IPC 4 emergency conditions between January and March next year, rising to 2.7 million by June.

Up to 727,000 could face catastrophic food insecurity by the middle of the year, meaning starvation and death.

Mr. Peterschmitt described the situation in Somalia as dire.

Although current levels of humanitarian assistance are helping to prevent what he called “extreme outcomes”, they are not enough to halt the famine threat beyond a few months at a time.

“People are dying in IPC Phase 4. Yet, still there is an unrelenting focus on famine declarations as a trigger for action,” he said.

“Real action needs to be taken not only to help communities meet their immediate needs, but also so they can adapt their livelihoods and build resilience in the face of climate crises and economic shocks, preparing them for whatever the future may bring.”