MOGADISHU, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Food security has improved in Somalia mainly due to continued large-scale humanitarian assistance and seasonal improvements to food and income sources during the Deyr (October-December) season, the UN-backed food security analysis revealed on Monday.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-managed Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) assessments however showed that 2.7 million people will face Crisis or Emergency between now and June.

"This represents improvement in the overall food security situation in Somalia compared to the 3.2 million people projected to be in Crisis or worse between April and December 2017," said the report released in Mogadishu.

The report said that although the risk of famine has declined, in the absence of assistance, many households would face large food consumption gaps.

"Humanitarian assistance must be sustained to prevent further deterioration of the food security and nutrition situation in Somalia," FSNAU said.

According to the report, an additional 2.7 million people are classified as Stressed through June, adding that in total, 5.4 million people across Somalia face acute food insecurity.

"In addition, in the absence of continued large-scale assistance, food security is expected to deteriorate through June 2018, as food and income sources decline further," the report said.

The report, however, said 2017 Deyr rains were still below average in most parts of Somalia and the 2018 Gu (April-June) rains are also forecast to be below average.

"As a result, food and income sources are expected to remain below normal in most areas throughout the projection period," FSNAU said.