Sir Mo Farah has thrown his support behind a charity appeal to help the millions of people who face starvation in East Africa.

The four-time Olympic champion has been named ambassador for Save the Children, one of 13 UK aid agencies under the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

The committee's new East Africa Food Crisis Appeal is hoping to bring aid to more than 16 million people in the region "on the brink of starvation and in urgent need of food, water and medical treatment".

Video appeals for donations to help those affected in the crisis - caused by droughts and conflict - will air on Sky, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

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Sir Mo, who spent his early childhood in Somalia, said he was "completely devastated" by the crisis.


He said: "As a father-of-four, it hurts to see children without food and water, but this is a reality being faced by parents in East Africa right now.

"The drought is really bad and there are millions of children at risk of starvation.

"I was born in Somalia and it breaks my heart to hear stories of how families are suffering."

Money raised by the DEC appeal will go to those affected in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan, with the Government pledging to match public donations up to £5m.

Image: Sir Mo Farah spent his early childhood in Somalia

Around 800,000 children aged up to five need treatment for severe acute malnutrition in the four countries, according to the committee.

In February, the UN formally declared a famine in parts of South Sudan - the first time in six years such an announcement has been made.

Priti Patel, International Development Secretary, said: "Britain has acted without hesitation - UK aid-funded food, water and emergency healthcare is being delivered across East Africa right now, but more support is urgently needed to prevent a catastrophe.

"The international community must now follow Global Britain's lead to save lives and stop the famine before it becomes a stain on our collective conscience.

"The world cannot afford to wait."

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DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said: "We are hearing that families are so desperate for food that they are resorting to eating leaves to survive.

"This is something no family should have to endure. Unless we act now the number of deaths will drastically increase."

:: To donate to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal, visit www.dec.org.uk or call 0370 60 60 610.