Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp where people fleeing the drought and the fighting in Somalia have been seeking refuge is bursting at the seams. The camp which is about 50 miles from Somalia’s border was initially meant to hold just 80,000 people now has a population of some 450,000, and the number is swelling as hundreds of refugees trickle in daily.

“These are very difficult circumstances not seen in this region in more than a decade,” said Elhadj As Sy, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. Describing the dire situation, he said the region’s drought had worsened and prices of basic commodities skyrocketing against the backdrop of deadly fighting ongoing in Somalia.

About 13 million people across the region are affected by the crisis, among them 750,000 directly affected by the spreading famine.

“There should not be only saving lives because livelihoods are at stake.” said Mr Elhadj.

The actual figures of people in dire need of humanitarian aid in the region could be higher, as those only strong enough to trek to the camps were considered, many more might be too sick to make the horrendous journey.

Hundreds of refugees escaping from the turmoil in their home country are often faced with brutal choice of trekking for days into the world’s largest refugee camp; Dadaab.

Many lost their lost their children on the way, many others devoured by wild animals.

Some were reportedly arrested while fleeing by the Islamist group Al-Shabaab by going into the lands of the “infidels”.

Most affected are women and children, as well as pastoralists who lost thousands of their economic backbone; livestock.

“We are trying to do everything possible to reach people in need,” including by providing “safe spaces” and opening humanitarian corridors, he added.

“In any case, the United Nations would continue to scale up and maintain long-term humanitarian programmes” he continued.

According to Elhadj the organization is also working with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) to establish ways to invest in, among others, agriculture upgrades and infrastructure enhancements.

While the United Nations “may not solve drought and hunger situation, we are able to save as many lives as we can” he said.