Martin Griffiths, the United Nations humanitarian chief, said he was on his way to visit parts of Turkey and Syria affected by an earthquake that has killed more than 20,000 people.
An official declaration of famine would unleash aid and attention. Some experts say Somalia shows that the international system for making the judgment is broken.
Soaring needs and wealthy countries’ focus on Ukraine have left aid agencies with too little money to address the world’s other crises, forcing them to cut programs.