In southeastern Ethiopia, at least one million people face pre-famine conditions, with reports of child deaths from hunger-related causes already coming in, said the U.S.-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network.

"Urgent responses are required to prevent an alarming escalation of a food insecurity crisis," said the emergency bulletin issued Thursday.

In January to March 2006, more than a million cattle herders in Ethiopia's southern region of Somalia could face serious shortages of water, pasture and food, the group's preliminary assessment suggests.

Poor rains, depleted pasture and water sources have led to the country's pre-famine conditions.

An estimated 1.2 million people in neighbouring northeast Kenya are also expected to face food shortages in the next two months, said John Munyes, minister of state for special programs.

The government said it would immediately deliver emergency food to those at risk.

Another two million people in Somalia need food and water, medical supplies and security assistance. More severely malnourished children are being admitted to feeding centres in the south, aid officials said.

The UN food agency said about 64, 000 metric tons of food aid are needed for the drought-affected population, but only a quarter of that is available.

Source: CBC