The food crisis in Somalia is regarded as one of the worst the country has ever been.
Successive droughts have left 2.6 million people in need of humanitarian aid, a figure that has risen by 40 per cent since January.
There are worries that if the current rainy period fails to deliver, up to 3.5 million – half the population – could need aid.
UNICEF estimates nearly 180,000 children are acutely malnourished, with 25,000 severely malnourished. It has increased its nutrition operation to reach more than 50,000 children under the age of five.
However the work of aid agencies is being hampered by serious security problems, including attacks on humanitarian workers.
Tearfund is currently exploring links with a possible partner in Somalia to work on food security projects.