GAROWE, Somalia July 21 (Garowe Online) - Elders and local officials in several towns along the northern Somali coastline have appealed for emergency assistance after days of food shortage.

The towns of Eyl, Beyla, Qandala and Hafun are reported to be undergoing shortage of food, prompting local elders to appeal to aid agencies for help. All four towns are located in the self-governing Puntland region.

Puntland's minister of local government, Ali Abdi Aware, said the administration is sending emergency food relief to the coastal towns.

He appealed to the UN and other international aid agencies to help poor families experiencing hunger after expected seasonal rains didn’t come.

Source: Garowe Online