Top US House Democrat Nancy Pelosi urged China and Saudi Arabia on Thursday to "step up their efforts" to help the Horn of Africa battle a disastrous famine, calling for an enhanced US role as well.

"The drought and famine in the Horn of Africa is a challenge to the conscience of leaders around the world, and the United States and the international community must do more," Pelosi said in a statement.

"We can begin by providing financial and vocal support to organizations taking risks in getting food, health services and humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable; other members of the international community, including China and Saudi Arabia, must also step up their efforts."

Her comments came after meeting with US Agency for International Development chief Raj Shah to discuss what the United Nations calls the continent's worst food crisis since the famine in Somalia in 1991-1992.

"In the coming weeks and months, my colleagues and I will work with the Obama administration to ensure strong US support for the effort to prevent hunger, starvation and instability in the Horn of Africa region," said Pelosi, the House minority leader.

Some 12 million people are in danger of starvation in the wake of the region's worst drought in decades, which the United Nations said has caused famine in four southern Somalia regions and two refugee sites in Mogadishu.

But famine could engulf the whole of southern Somalia in the coming weeks, according to the United Nations, which estimates that $2.4 billion is required to address the crisis.

The prolonged drought has also affected parts of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, with Somalia being the worst affected due to a relentless conflict and aid restriction by Shebab rebels in areas under their control.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged the Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants to stop blocking aid to famine-hit areas of Somalia and allow it to reach scores of starving people.

Clinton told a press conference it was tragic that the Shebab militants were preventing assistance from reaching the most vulnerable, children, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"I call on Al-Shebab to allow assistance to be delivered in an unfettered way throughout the area they currently control so that as many lives as possible can be saved," the chief US diplomat said.

Tweet

Related Links Climate Science News - Modeling, Mitigation Adaptation