The Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) has launched an urgent appeal for West Africa as millions of people face chronic food shortages.

The aid agency said poor rainfall and failed harvests in the Sahel region of West Africa have left 10 million people vulnerable to severe hunger.

Niger, the poorest country in the world according to the United Nations, has been worst hit, with almost 60 per cent of the population facing hunger this year.

More than 1.5 million children are at risk of becoming malnourished unless urgent action is taken.

MRDF has already allocated £20,000 to the crisis-hit countries, and is urging people to donate to its emergency appeal so that it can reach more vulnerable people in Niger and other affected countries including Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.

Yannick Milev, MRDF Programme Manager for West Africa, recently returned from a visit to Niger.

"Our partner in Niger was very distressed by the reports they were receiving from the communities they work with," he said.

"Entire villages are emptying as people flee to areas where they think they might find food – they either simply have no food, or cannot afford it.

"The price of rice has doubled in some places. Not everyone can leave their villages, and some of the people left behind have been forced to eat roots and leaves from trees.

"These reports are shocking, but the important message is that we can make a huge difference to many of the people affected by this crisis if we act quickly."

Gifts to MRDF’s appeal will provide emergency relief supplies to some of those affected by the food crisis and will focus on helping communities to become more resilient to drought in the future.

Donations to MRDF can be made via www.mrdf.org.uk, by calling 020 7224 4814 to give by debit or credit card or by cheque made payable to 'MRDF (West Africa emergency)' and sent to MRDF, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR.

Taxpayers are encouraged to gift aid their donations where possible, adding 28p to every pound they give, at no extra personal cost. Gift Aid envelopes for church collections are available from MRDF.