China announced Friday that it will provide a total of 90 million yuan (14 million U.S. dollars) worth of emergency food assistance to countries in the Horn of Africa.

"We are deeply concerned with the widespread famine triggered by the severe drought in the Horn of Africa region and our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the drought victims," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu in a written statement.

The drought and the massive displacement of people in the Horn of Africa, in addition to high food prices and dwindling resources, have created a severe humanitarian crisis. More than 11 million people have been affected.