Famine in Somalia caused by drought… The President officially announces it

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Saturday that Somalia is officially going through a famine.

• Somali ex-leader says soldiers attacked his home, blames president

President Sheikh Mohamud announced that many hunger-related deaths had been reported in the country.

In a video released by the presidential palace, he said the country is now in the grip of famine and called for a rapid local and international response.

According to the UN, more than seven million Somalis are facing severe food shortages with nearly half a million starving.

• Somalia is the poorest country because of Farmajo’s corruption and his government

The President’s admission underscores the devastating impact of drought on Somalis.

Humanitarian agencies say Somalia is experiencing four consecutive seasons of drought, which is halting food production.

Somalia experienced a deadly famine in 2011 that killed more than 250,000 people, mostly children.