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As Famine Rises, So Do Political Hurdles

by NPR Staff

Women from southern Somalia stand near pooled rainwater in Mogadishu, Somalia, Monday, Aug 1, 2011. Tens of thousands of famine-stricken Somali refugees were cold and drenched after torrential rains overnight pounded their makeshift structures in the capital, Mogadishu. Enlarge image i

Women from southern Somalia stand near pooled rainwater in Mogadishu, Somalia, Monday, Aug 1, 2011. Tens of thousands of famine-stricken Somali refugees were cold and drenched after torrential rains overnight pounded their makeshift structures in the capital, Mogadishu.

Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP
Women from southern Somalia stand near pooled rainwater in Mogadishu, Somalia, Monday, Aug 1, 2011. Tens of thousands of famine-stricken Somali refugees were cold and drenched after torrential rains overnight pounded their makeshift structures in the capital, Mogadishu.

Women from southern Somalia stand near pooled rainwater in Mogadishu, Somalia, Monday, Aug 1, 2011. Tens of thousands of famine-stricken Somali refugees were cold and drenched after torrential rains overnight pounded their makeshift structures in the capital, Mogadishu.

Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP

During East Africa's worst drought in 60 years, tens of thousands have already died and millions urgently need food. The United Nations is warning that the crisis will worsen if aid is not increased. Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai says government systems have severely lagged in helping locals and solving environmental problems. She tells host Michel Martin what else should be done to bring relief to the region.

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