According to the report, the number of people who need urgent assistance in Kenya is at least four times higher than the number recorded two years ago, and the already difficult situation could worsen without timely international action.

Along with Kenya, Somalia is facing a high risk of famine and the malnutrition rates in Ethiopia are currently above emergency thresholds, the WFP reported in a text released in the three countries.

It also noted that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has pushed up the cost of food and fuel, which has a particular impact in Ethiopia and Somalia, which are dependent on wheat from the Black Sea basin, and where commodity prices have risen by 66 percent and 36 percent, respectively.

Import disruptions for reasons such as increased shipping rates on some routes from January 2022 threaten food security and, due to the lack of resources, resolving the crisis will be increasingly difficult, it said.

Over the last few months and from regional and global arenas, the UN agency has urged the international community to look to East Africa, mainly Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, and urgently plan aid programs.

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