China paying 'close attention' to Africa famine

China says it is paying "close attention" to a disastrous famine in the Horn of Africa, after top US House Democrat Nancy Pelosi urged it to do more.

The Chinese foreign ministry said it had supplied 90 million yuan ($14 million) worth of food aid in response to the crisis, described by the United Nations as the worst to hit Africa since a 1991-1992 famine in Somalia.

"The central government pays close attention to the large-scale famine caused by a devastating drought in the Horn of Africa and expresses sympathy to people in stricken areas," a ministry statement said.

Pelosi on Thursday urged China and Saudi Arabia to "step up their efforts" to relieve the famine in the Horn of Africa, where the United Nations says 12 million people are in danger of starvation.

The United Nations estimates that $2.4 billion is required to address the crisis, which has hit Somalia worst due to a relentless conflict and aid restrictions by Shebab rebels in areas under their control.