Christian World Service has sent initial funds to provide relief to families facing starvation in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, but warns without further action famine is likely to spread rapidly.

Church leaders from eastern Africa are asking for immediate support for their people. Speaking to the World Council of Churches last month, they said the situation was dire.

“It is very hard times for the people. The food shortages are still continuing. There is so much suffering,” says Anglican Bishop Daniel Qampicha Wario of Marsabit, Kenya.

Scorching sun is drying the land and waterways, leaving little for families or livestock. The land cannot grow food, so the people are hungry. The persistent droughts are linked to climate change and in some areas, conflict is an added factor.

In East Africa, the people are facing five straight years of drought with little relief. The worst affected areas are in Somalia where at least 7.8 million people are close to famine.

In 2004, humanitarian experts created a five point system to measure food insecurity, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system (IPC). The IPC was designed to encourage early action to prevent hunger. Each stage can be measured objectively.

Famine is declared when two people in 10,000 are dying every day because of the lack of food, over 30 percent are experiencing acute malnutrition and 20 percent of people do not know when they will be able to eat.

“We are receiving very distressing reports from East Africa. We understand many people are feeling the economic pressure here in Aotearoa New Zealand but are asking those who can, to support our appeal so families can get the urgent assistance they need to survive,” says Murray Overton, National Director.

The East Africa Hunger Appeal will provide relief supplies including food – maize, beans and oil - water, sanitation and hygiene support, fast-growing vegetables and seeds, and protection and psychosocial support, to people in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya.

Donations can be made at cws.org.nz or by phone: 0800 74 73 72.