"The people of North Korea are fast running out of food, " said Catherine Bertini, director of the program.

CNN: U.N. to double food aid to North Korea

Catherine Bertini, head of the World Food Programme, visited areas of the Horn of Africa hardest hit by the drought that threatens up to 16m people in the region.

ECONOMIST: Politics this week | The

At the time of the appeal, UN special envoy Catherine Bertini warned that that the conflict with Ethiopia had resulted in both countries "diverting huge sums of money and resources to the war effort" rather than to drought-relief.

BBC: Eritrea issues drought warning