The Stream, July 11: Desperate Hunger Looms in the Horn of Africa

An unprecedented drought, instability and higher global food prices are threatening famine and a humanitarian crisis in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti, The New York Times reported. About 10-11 million people are in urgent need of food aid in the Horn of Africa as a consequence of the dry spell, according to official estimates.

Meanwhile, the United Nations said it is unable to deal with the scores of refugees fleeing to Ethiopia from Somalia because of conflict and drought, Bloomberg reported. The mortality rate at the refugee camps is reportedly about three times the norm for emergency situations.

Water downstream from the ruptured Exxon Mobil pipeline that leaked oil into the Yellowstone River has showed no detectable levels of toxic chemicals, Reuters reported, citing an official U.S. Environmental Protection Agency document.

Beijing has halted the sale of 31 brands of bottled water after random market inspections found bacteria colonies in the water, AFP reported, citing the Beijing Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Radar images from the European Space Agency’s recently retired ERS-2 Earth observation satellite reveal rapidly changing glacial features in Greenland.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.