© UNICEF Somalia/2006/Bannon
At a supplementary feeding centre in Isdoorto, Somalia,
a child waits in line with her mother for Unimix,
a highly fortified food.

"UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman is calling for immediate action in the drought-stricken Horn of Africa to keep children from dying. More than 8 million people across Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti are affected by the drought. The severe crisis is threatening the lives of 1.5 million children under the age of five.

"This is an area of Africa that often suffers from drought and, when drought occurs, it impacts the nutrition of children so we are concerned that children will suffer from malnutrition," said Ms. Veneman. "They are more susceptible to disease and in these situations previously, we've seen mortality rates for children increase so we want to get into the area early so we can address the needs particularly of the children." [Read more]