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Africa
Somali refugees still fleeing famine
Six months since famine was declared in Somalia, the Puntland region is struggling to cope with an influx of refugees.
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2012 13:38

Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland is struggling to cope with a massive influx of refugees fleeing from other parts of the country, where famine caused by a prolonged drought is widespread.

Since July of 2011, countries across East-Africa have faced severe drought, causing one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent history as millions suffered from starvation.

More than 180,000 Somalis left their homes to seek help in other parts of the country and about 85,000 crossed into Kenya, mostly ending up in the Dadaab refugee camp.

Another 47,000 Somali refugees headed west, into Ethiopia. Others fled to Djibouti and Yemen.

Six months since the crisis was declared a famine, about 13 million people are still suffering from drought and a lack of food in East Africa.

In Puntland in northeastern Somalia, international organisations have been providing the deprived families with food aid, but many refugees say it is not enough.

Al Jazeera's Catherine Soi reports on the many obstacles that the humanitarian effort in that region is facing.

Source:
Al Jazeera
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