DAILY Echo readers are being asked to give a helping hand to millions of people in East Africa who have been affected by the worst drought in 60 years.

The crisis – a combination of the drought and rising food prices – has engulfed parts of the region including Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, affecting nine million people.

The situation has devastated cattle and crops with the coming harvest expected to be very poor in many areas.

Around Dorset, charities have started collections and organised fundraisers with an Oxfam group collecting for the DEC appeal in Blandford Forum on Monday July 18.

And the Christchurch branch of Save the Children will be holding a street collection in the town centre on Saturday July 30.

Barbara Jeremiah, volunteer for the charity which is in East Africa providing food, water and medicine, said people continued to be very generous during these collections but there was always a need to raise more money.

“Hopefully we can raise more awareness as well,” she added.

So far the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has raised about £8million.

David Bull, executive director of UNICEF UK, has warned that two million children under five were acutely malnourished at this time and that 500,000 of them are suffering from imminent, life-threatening, severe acute malnutrition.

It was bleak and worrying, he said, calling on people to help and offer hope to these children.

The charity is also repairing pumping stations and chlorinating water sources as well as supporting the government in a measles campaign for 400,000 children under five as well as vaccinating against polio and other diseases.

• Donations can be made by calling 0800 316 5353 or at unicef.org.uk/eastafrica

• See also Letters page 18