The United Nations refugee agency (UNHR) has called for international support to prevent increasing risk of mass deaths from starvation in many countries in Africa and in Yemen due to worsening drought and conflict

Adrian Edwards, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) told journalists at the regular bi-weekly media briefing in Geneva that  “an avoidable humanitarian crisis in the region, possibly worse than that of 2011, is fast becoming an inevitability,” and “a repeat must be avoided at all costs.”

According to estimates, some 20 million people are living in areas hit hard by drought. About 4.2 million among them are refugees and the number of the displaced is rising as a result of consecutive harvest failures, famine and insecurity.

 “Many refugees are without full access to livelihoods and agriculture or food production and their ability to take matters into their own hands and help themselves is limited,” noted Mr. Edwards.

The severe food insecurity is also causing many students, such as those in Kenya, to drop out of school. Some 175,000 students in drought areas in the country have stopped attending school and almost 600 schools have closed in Ethiopia.

In all, some five million children could see their educations being disrupted over coming weeks and months.

The daunting humanitarian scenario has been further complicated by a range of challenges including new displacement, economic hardships, crop failure and conflict.

Responding to the growing crisis, the UN refugee agency and its partners have been scaling up their efforts.

However, UNHCR operations in these countries are facing considerable constraints due to limited funding.

“It is now urgent that the shortfalls be addressed,” underscored the UNHCR spokesperson.