The United Nations says the devastating famine in southern Somalia has spread to three more areas. Two districts of the Middle Shabelle region as well as refugee camps in two other zones have surpassed the threshold for famine. The United Nations says all of southern Somalia is likely to be declared in a state of famine within six weeks. In a statement, the United Nations called the response so far “inadequate,” citing the restrictions on delivering aid imposed by the militant group al-Shabab as well as “funding gaps” from international donors. At a refugee camp in Ethiopia, U.N. aid official Joe Hegenauer said the toll on children has been devastating.

Joe Hegenauer: “It’s very alarming. These small children that you see in these MSF feeding centers are just really malnourished, and this population is very hungry and very tired, and they need water and help. And I think they’ll get it in the next few days, but it’s a crowd that really needs help.”

Judith Muller, World Food Programme: “For the newly arrived children under five, the malnutrition rate is up to 50 percent. This is extreme, more than three times the emergency level.”