In a disaster as severe for children as the one in the Horn of Africa, we need all hands on deck to help provide the resources needed to save lives – and that includes governments as well as individuals.

Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ), a long-time UNICEF champion, is trying to get his Congressional colleagues to take notice. He introduced House Resolution 361, calling on the United States to continue its support to the people of the Horn of Africa during this time of drought and famine. Reflecting the compassion and generosity of Americans, the United States Government has been a major donor of emergency assistance to the region, including funding for UNICEF’s response. Unfortunately, as the combination of continued drought, rising food prices, and ongoing conflict pushes the region toward a humanitarian catastrophe, our government will need to join its citizens in stepping up to do more to prevent millions of deaths.

UNICEF’s Christopher Tidey is in Dadaab Camp in Kenya. Christopher sent us this note this morning providing a firsthand account of the situation threatening the survival of 2.23 million children in the Horn of Africa.

The road to Dadaab is bone dry, 62 miles of sand and scrub. The signs of the drought are everywhere–dead animals, dried up vegetation. I cannot imagine how children could possibly make this journey on foot, particularly those who are malnourished. UNICEF has been present in Dadaab and the host communities for years, but we are ramping up our response to meet the increased needs of the influx of refugees.