Drought in Somalia a concern: UN

The UN humanitarian agency has expressed concern over a worsening drought in central Somalia where many rural families are suffering severe water shortages.

The UN humanitarian agency has expressed concern over a worsening drought in central Somalia where many rural families are suffering severe water shortages.

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Most traditional water catchments in Somalia are either dry or drying up, which is placing extra pressure on the few functioning boreholes, the UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a report on Friday.

The Mudug and Galguduud regions are hardest hit by the ongoing long dry season, and relief assistance will be needed at least until the next harvest, expected in July-August, said the OCHA.

According to OCHA, there are up to two million people in the eastern African nation in need of humanitarian aid.