"More than 10 million people are thought to be affected across the region, with Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia hardest hit," said Kirsty Smith, Director of the Methodist Relief and Development Fund.
"Two successive failed rainy seasons have meant lost harvests and the decimation of livestock. Soaring food prices have exacerbated the situation, leaving people hungry and unable to meet their basic needs."
Christian Aid’s Andrew Hogg said that "donor fatigue" had not yet been reached in the UK. His organisation is receiving regular updates from its on the ground workers in the Horn of Africa, he said. The organisation has launched an emergency appeal and released £135,000 to partners in various parts of the Horn and East Africa to respond as the situation worsens.
Aid workers report cases of widespread malnutrition, children begging for water by roadsides, animals dying of thirst and schools and hospitals closing throughout the drought-struck region.
The UN confirms that large swathes of northern Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Uganda are in the "emergency" category, one stage before what is officially classified as famine.
Oxfam estimates that £50 million will be needed this year to save lives and the British government has pledged £38 million to increase food aid to 1.3 million Ethiopians facing starvation to help them reach the next harvest.
Post published in: Africa News