Aid efforts falter as Somali famine looms

NAIROBI, Kenya - As warnings grow that famine could engulf all of southern Somalia, the relief efforts needed to ease the crisis are being hampered by escalating conflict and restrictions by rebels on aid groups.

The United Nations last month declared a famine in southern Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions in the south of Somalia due to the prolonged drought in the Horn of Africa region.

This week, UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos warned that famine could spread to five or six regions in Somalia "if we are not able to really handle it now".