The UN World Food Program (WFP) said on Wednesday it has received 10 million U.S. dollar donation in cash from Saudi Arabia to back the agency's operations in the drought-Horn of Africa.

The UN agency said in a statement that the donation would help people in six countries -- Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Somalia, where over six million people are rapidly running out of food following several seasons of severe drought.

"WFP is extremely grateful to the custodian of the two holy mosques and the Saudi people for this important contribution that comes at a crucial time. Many of the people who will benefit from the Saudi donation are nomadic pastoralists who have tragically lost all their livestock," James Morris, WFP's executive director said in the statement.

The new donation comes at a time when WFP is having severe funding difficulties in East Africa, where the agency faces a shortfall of some 200 million dollars for its drought-related operations.

"When we do not have the funds, we cannot help the poor survivors of conflicts and natural disasters. This latest donation is the largest ever to WFP from Saudi Arabia -- or from any Gulf country -- and is a sign of the government's commitment to work more closely with the United Nations, and with WFP in particular, so that we can reach these survivors quickly and effectively," added Morris.

WFP said Saudi Arabia has become a significant donor to its operations worldwide.

Since 2005, the UN agency said, the Saudi government and private sector have given over 20 million dollars in contributions.

Source: Xinhua