BELETWEIN, Somalia Apr 7 (Garowe Online) - Drought conditions in central Somalia's Hiran region continue to threaten the livelihoods of people and livestock, Radio Garowe reports.

Haji Mohamud Ahmed Hoshow, chairman of the Hiran elders' council, told reporters Monday in the provincial capital Beletwein that hundreds of families are at risk.

"The people have been affected by the long drought and lack of water in the region [Hiran]," Elder Hoshow said.

He noted that people and livestock affected by the ongoing drought can be found along roads towards the east and west of Beletwein, a key trading town near Somalia's border with Ethiopia.

Elder Hoshow said a group of elders are visiting sites to assess the families' conditions, while appealing for assistance from the business community and international aid organizations.

Source: Garowe Online