The United Nations has declared a state of famine in some parts of southern Somalia where the worst drought in over half a century is already being blamed for thousands of deaths.
The announcement on Wednesday signals the need for more aid to the worst affected regions of Southern Bakool and Lower Shabelle.
UN official Mark Bowden said malnutrition rates in Somalia were among the highest in the world, and that they would dangerously spread in the coming months.
"If we don't act now, famine will spread to all eight regions of southern Somalia within two months, due to poor harvests and infectious disease outbreaks," Bowden said.
"One in three children have suffered from severe food shortages, imperilling their lives," he said.
"More than ever, Somali people need and deserve our attention... whether we are donors, members of humanitarian organisations, or parties to the conflict."
A UN statement from earlier in the day said: "Across the country nearly half of the Somali population - 3.7 million people - are now in crisis, of whom an estimated 2.8 million people are in the south."
In all, more than 10 million people are affected and need emergency help, the UN said.
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