The Disasters Emergency Committee has launched an appeal to help people facing hunger in Yemen. 

Television and radio appeals fronted by Clare Balding and Tom Hardy will air across major broadcasters today and the Department for International Development is matching donations up to £5m. 

Yemen has been affected by war for the last 20 months. The DEC said than seven million people do not know where their next meal will come from, and children are dying of from malnutrition. 

Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the DEC said: “Now is the time to save lives in Yemen before it is too late. Children face the greatest risk of starvation – almost half a million infants and young children need immediate treatment for malnutrition. DEC members are already providing treatment for malnutrition, running mobile health teams, distributing emergency food and cash but they need funds to reach more people.”

DEC member charities, including the Red Cross, CARE International, Islamic Relief, Oxfam and Save the Children, are already working across the country. Christian Aid and Tearfund are supporting activities of partner charities responding to the crisis. 

Donations can be made online, by calling 0370 60 60 900, at high street banks and post offices, or by texting SUPPORT to 70000 to give £5.