E. Africa crisis demands ‘massive and urgent’ action—UN

ROME—The “catastrophic” drought in the Horn of Africa demands “massive and urgent” action, the head of the UN food agency FAO said on Monday at the start of emergency talks in Rome on the crisis.

“The catastrophic situation demands massive and urgent international aid,” said Jacques Diouf, head of the Food and Agriculture Organization.

“It’s imperative to stop the famine,” said Diouf, adding that $1.6 billion (1.1 billion euros) was needed for the next 12 months.