The number of children facing the impact of drought including acute hunger, malnutrition and thirst has increased by 40 percent since February, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said.

The agency pointed out on Friday that between February and April, the figure shot up from 7.25 million to at least 10 million.

In its report, it said more than 1.7 million children across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia require urgent treatment for severe acute malnutrition.

'If we don't act now we will see an avalanche of child deaths in a matter of weeks," said Mohamed M. Fall, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.

"Famine is just around the corner."

Parts of the Horn of African region have experienced severe drought described as the worst seen in 40 years.

Three consecutive dry seasons have forced hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes in search of survival, with their livestock and crops wiped out.

UNICEF warned that in Somalia, more than 81,000 people are at risk of famine by the end of June if a fourth consecutive rainy season fails.

"We need to act now to save children's lives – but also to protect childhoods," said Mohamed M. Fall.

"Children are losing their homes, their education and their right to grow up safe from harm. They deserve the world's attention now."