UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Drought is affecting an estimated more than 4.6 million people in Somalia, around a quarter of the population, a UN spokesperson said Monday.

UN partners indicate that at least 120,000 people were displaced between September and December, as water prices soar, food becomes increasingly scarce, livestock die, and livelihoods collapse, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, at a daily briefing.

He said education has also been severely affected, with more than 75,000 students forced to drop out of school nationwide.

Dujarric noted that the upcoming dry season between January and March in the country is expected to make drought conditions worse, with increased water scarcity and higher livestock mortality anticipated, potentially intensifying food insecurity in many parts of the country.

Authorities are appealing for urgent assistance to avert a possible collapse of pastoral and farming livelihoods and to prevent avoidable loss of life. They warn that the next four months will be critical, as the next rainy season is not expected until April 2026, said the spokesperson.

The UN and its humanitarian partners are mobilized to support assessments, map available supply stocks, and coordinate emergency responses across water, food, nutrition, health and shelter sectors, he said.

Dujarric said the UN Central Emergency Response Fund allocated 10 million U.S. dollars at the end of November, but substantially more support is urgently needed. Enditem