Addis Ababa — Millions of people across Eastern Africa are looking down the barrel of the worst famine for 60 years. Thousands of families have picked up their possessions to walk towards what they hope is better pasture land, towards countries that might hold the promise of food.

Only three years ago this same African region was at risk of famine when 20 million people suffered the impacts of a series of failed rains. This time it will be worse.

Tens of thousands of cattle have already died in Borena, Ethiopia.

Aid workers and church partners throughout Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa today described the drought as the worst they have ever seen. They have warned that unless urgent help is received, the drought will lead to food shortages on an unprecedented scale.

CAFOD Director Chris Bain said: "The rains and crops have failed, livestock are dying, and tens of thousands of people are walking miles in a hopeless search for food and water. There is nothing on the horizon that will improve that picture, and every likelihood it is going to get much worse.

"That is why we are working urgently alongside our church partners throughout the region, running feeding stations for small children and pregnant mothers, digging wells and earth dams for communities, and distributing drought-resistant seeds to farmers.

"Every donation to CAFOD is having an impact on the front line of this crisis, so the individuals, families, parishes and schools who support this appeal can literally make the difference between life and death for thousands of people over the coming weeks."

Bishop Peter Kihara of the Catholic Diocese of Marsabit in one of the worst-hit areas of Northern Kenya said: "There is no question that we have a very desperate situation and it is deteriorating rapidly. We urgently call to our brothers and sisters in Britain and across the world to help us in this time of need. Please help us reach the millions of people affected by the crisis."