NAIROBI, Sept. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Millions of people in 24 countries in sub-Saharan Africa are facing food emergencies caused by problems ranging from civil strife and war to adverse weather and economic crisis, the United Nations warned on Thursday.

    The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a report that despite beneficial rains and favorable crop prospects in some parts, the food situation remains precarious for the large number of people with high malnutrition rates reported in several countries.

    The FAO's Africa Report said that cereal import requirements of these countries in 2005-06 are expected to remain high at about 3.2 million tons.

    The report warned that the situation in Sudan is particularly alarming due to prolonged conflict in Darfur and also in southern regions, where access to food is worsening for returnees.

    "Access to food is worsening for returnees and poor households in parts of southern Sudan and the continued crisis in Greater Darfur remains the most pressing humanitarian problem," it said.

    In Somalia, the report said nearly one million people need aid after a poor main season harvest coupled with an upsurge in civil strife.

    "Similarly, in Somalia, recent assessments indicate that the poor 2005 main season harvest in southern Somalia, forecast at 44 percent below average, coupled with an upsurge in civil strife have exacerbated the food situation. Overall, nearly one million people need humanitarian assistance," read the report.

    Eritrea and Ethiopia are expected to have generally favorable main crop seasons but a large number of people still depend on food aid due to the lingering effects of earlier drought and/or war, according to the report. Enditem