The Disasters Emergency Committee has today launched an appeal to help millions of people facing hunger in East Africa.
In South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, drought and conflict have left millions of people in immediate need of food, water and medical treatment. More than 16 million people in the region do not know where their next meal will come from and children are at the risk of dying from starvation.
The crisis appeal will be shown on all major UK broadcasters including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky.
Saleh Saeed, chied executive of DEC, said: “Hunger on a massive scale is looming across East Africa. More than 800,000 children under five are severely malnourished. Without urgent treatment, they are at risk of starving to death.
“We are hearing that families are so desperate for food that they are resorting to eating leaves to survive. This is something no family should have to endure.
“Unless we act now the number of deaths will drastically increase. Don’t delay – please donate.”
DEC’s member charities are already on the ground delivering life-saving aid, such as food, treatment for malnutrition and clean drinking water.
The UK government has said it will match pound for pound the first £5m donated to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal.
The DEC brings together 13 leading UK aid charities to collectively raise money with speed at teimes of crisis. The charities are ActionAid, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam, Plan International UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.
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