African famine kills 100-200 children a day

January 27, 2012

Famine claims the lives of 100-200 children every day in the Horn of Africa, the Fides news service reports.

Humanitarian agencies estimate that at least 35,000 children under the age of 5 died of hunger in the region last year; the number may be as high as 65,000. In Somalia more than one-third of the entire population—36.4%--is suffering the effects of malnutrition.

Humanitarian agencies report that hungry families from Somalia, Kenya, Eritrea, and Ethiopia continue to arrive in droves at refugee camps.

 

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Further information:

• Horn of Africa: every day between 100 and 200 children under 5 years of age die (Fides)