A combination of drought and escalating food prices has left 4.6 million people urgently in need of food in Ethiopia. Around 759,000 of these are children under the age of five, a group which is particularly vulnerable to effects of malnutrition such as weight loss and disease.

Official estimates currently indicate that around 75,000 children are severely malnourished and could die if they do not receive emergency treatment.

Save the Children has launched an appeal for US$20 million to help around 900,000 people, including 325,000 children, who are bearing the brunt of the food crisis in Ethiopia.