Drought and hunger in Somalia, Ethiopia and region: What to know

Children fill water tanks using a private pump near the Shabelle river in the city of Gode, Ethiopia, on April 6, 2022 amid the worst drought to hit the Horn of Africa in 40 years pushes 20 million people towards starvation, according to the UN [File: Eduardo Soteras/AFP]

The Horn of Africa region is on the brink of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, the United Nations and several aid organisations have said.

Millions of people are facing food insecurity, as scientists and aid groups warned that Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia could be experiencing their worst drought in 40 years this October-December with drier-than-average conditions predicted.