The United Nations is warning the food crisis in the drought-stricken Horn of Africa has grown to threaten more than 12.4 million people. Aid groups continue to plead for donations as funding continues to lag. Less than half of a $2.5 billion U.N. appeal has been met. On Tuesday, a UNICEF spokesperson urged international airlines to help carry aid to starving children.

Marixie Mercado: “The funding situation is dire for the Horn of Africa. UNICEF has a funding gap of over $200 million out of its $314 million appeal. There are over 2.3 million acutely malnourished children in the Horn of Africa. More than half a million will die if they do not get help within weeks. With therapeutic feeding, a child can fully recuperate in a matter of four to six weeks. We are asking the air transport industry for free or heavily discounted airline cargo space to transport this therapeutic food to children who will die without it.”