Since mid-July 2011, a severe drought has been affecting the entire East Africa region. Said to be "the worst in 60 years", the drought has (47) a severe food crisis across Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya that threatens the (48) of 10 million people. Many refugees from southern Somalia have fled to neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia, where crowded, unsanitary (不卫生的) (49) together with severe malnutrition (营养不良) have led to a large number of deaths. Other countries in and around the Horn of Africa, are also affected by a food crisis. The UN added the (50) Bay region in Somalia to the list of famine-stricken areas. The UN has conducted several airlifts of supplies in addition to on-the-ground (51) , but humanitarian (人道主义的；人道主义者) response to the crisis has been hindered by a (52) lack of funding for international aid coupled with security issues in the region. As of September 2011, 63 percent of the UN’s appeal for $ 2.5 billion (U. S.) in humanitarian assistance has been (53) . Although fighting disrupted aid delivery in some areas, a scaling up of relief operations in mid-November had (54) reduced malnutrition and mortality rates in southern Somalia, (55) the UN to downgrade the humanitarian situation in the Bay region from famine to emergency levels. In addition, humanitarian access to rebel-controlled areas had improved and rainfall had surpassed expectations, improving the prospects of a good harvest in early 2012. Major rains are not expected until March 2012, which should (56) the way for a harvest in July or August 2012. A. alter B. appointed C. assistance D. caused E. conditions F. entire G. financed H) large I) livelihood J) negatively K) pave L) prompting M) service N) severe O) significantly