UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Hilde Johnson, who visited Somalia late last week, said the number of people affected by hunger and severe food insecurity doubled in the last year to more than 3.6 million, according to a statement from the UN agency Saturday

It said almost half of those affected are children, warning that without immediate funding, UNICEF will have to close many feeding centers for undernourished children.

``This is about making it possible for Somalia's children to live and see the New Year," Johnson said after the visit.

She also said it was a paradox that funding was not forthcoming when it is needed the most, amidst a bigger crisis than the country has seen in several years.

``When I asked the mothers in Somalia what is different this year, one of them said: `This is the worst year I can ever remember','' Johnson said, adding that the agency needs US$10 million by the end of the year to provide essential life-saving programmes for the children and their families.