Red Cross asks for 5.4 mln dollars in drought-hit E Africa

NAIROBI, Mar 27 (Reuters) The International Federation of the Red Cross appealed today for 15.4 million dollar to help feed people in drought-hit east Africa, where millions are threatened with starvation.

The world's largest disaster relief network said the money would provide food, shelter, and safe drinking water to almost 1 million people in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi.

An estimated 11 million people in the region are affected by drought.

''The food insecurity in these countries constitutes a humanitarian crisis that is jeopardizing the well-being of millions of people,'' Steve Penny, disaster management coordinator for the Federation, said in a statement.

''The drought is exacerbating an already precarious situation in many of the countries due to pre-existing poverty, conflict and inadequate health and sanitation services,'' he said.

Hundreds of people and tens of thousands of livestock have already died from a drought decimating the region. Analysts say the situation is likely to continue as poor rains are forecast for the coming rainy season.

The Federation said the drought has already started to have a regional impact as people move across borders in search of food, water and work.

It said it would focus on providing emergency assistance to 800,000 people over the next six to 12 months.

Reuters SY RN1820