A new report says more than 10 million children across East Africa are suffering from malnutrition, and more than 300,000 people are at risk of dying from hunger.
The study, commissioned by the regional bloc, Igad, warned the food crisis would get worse if rains failed for a fifth year running.
Igad executive director Workneh Gebeyehu added that conflict across the region had disrupted food production, worsening the crisis further.
He also appealed for help from the international community as East Africa experiences its longest dry spell in 40 years and its fourth drought in a decade.