The devastating impact of drought on mothers and children in Somalia

Exclusive: Powerful series illustrates devastating impact of crisis ahead of World Hunger Day

Mother-of-three Naima* was photographed sitting with her baby daughter Najma* in a stabilisation centre in Baidoa (Fredrik Lerneryd/Save the Children)

Mothers with their children have been photographed from the epicentre of the crippling drought in Southern Somalia, with one explaining how her young family has been forced to survive on tea with some sugar in it as their main meal of the day.

The powerful series has been newly released by The Independent to illustrate the devastating impact of the crisis as World Hunger Day approaches and Oxfam calls on the G7 to take “life-saving action” over famine in East Africa ahead of the summit on Friday.

The award-winning photographer Fredrik Lerneryd has captured mothers with their children, suffering from extreme hunger and malnutrition-induced sickness, after five consecutive failed rainy seasons have put food out of reach for millions of people.