The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) has said that the number of children suffering dire drought conditions across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia has more than doubled in five months.
Around 20.2 million children are now facing the threat of severe hunger, thirst and disease, compared to 10 million in July, the Unicef said, adding that climate change, conflict, global inflation and grain shortages devastate the region.
In a statement, Unicef Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Lieke van de Wiel said: "We need a global effort to mobilise resources urgently to reduce further devastating and irreversible damage to children in the Horn of Africa. We must act now to save children's lives, preserve their dignity and protect their futures."
According to Unicef, nearly two million children across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia are currently estimated to require urgent treatment for severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form of hunger.
Approximately 2.7 million children are out of school because of the drought, with an additional estimated 4 million children at risk of dropping out.
International
Unicef: More than twenty million children suffering in Horn of Africa as drought intensifies
