The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday made an appeal for 16 million U.S. dollars for the drought-hit Horn of Africa countries.

In a statement issued in Nairobi, UNICEF said more than 8 million people in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti are affected by a worsening drought.

With rain not due until April, the UN agency expressed fears that the situation will deteriorate even further if the international community does not respond immediately to the need for assistance.

"There is a potential for widespread disease, greater malnutrition and the displacement of significant numbers of people, " UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said.

"A major crisis has hit the Horn of Africa, where a severe drought is endangering an estimated 1.5 million children under the age of five," said UNICEF.

The UN agency cited southern Ethiopia, northern Kenya, and central and southern Somalia as regions which have been severely impacted over the past several months.

Rains have largely failed in the area for two years leading to livestock deaths, crop failures and the loss of water sources, said UNICEF.

Funds raised in this appeal will help UNICEF, working with these governments and other relief agencies to provide critical life-saving programs over the next three months, the statement said.

"These additional resources will allow the agency to move quickly in getting water and other services into the affected areas, including measles immunization campaigns for children and families," said UNICEF.

The UN agency said the drought also has a long-term impact on children's education with many not attending schools in order to join in the search for food and water.

"Crop failure and the death of livestock are significant factors contributing to increased malnutrition among children. Measles also poses a threat to children's survival as immunization rates in the affected areas are low," it said.

"Children weakened by malnutrition face a much higher risk of infection, and measles can spread lethally and quickly among unprotected populations," said UNICEF.

The agency said it is already supporting feeding programs in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia and over the next several months, it plans to further expand therapeutic feeding programs, including in Djibouti, step up vaccination and vitamin A campaigns, provide water and sanitation services.

"The severe drought may not be receiving the same amount of attention as other emergencies. We must act now to save lives," said Veneman.

Source: Xinhua