African governments must make more substantial donations to the international relief effort for the more than 12million people affected by the Horn of Africa drought and famine, British international aid group Oxfam said.

The group said it had launched a project to get Africans and their governments to donate more.

Irungu Houghton, Oxfam's Africa policy advisor, said that donations from African governments had been inadequate, with only South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, and Sudan making contributions.

He said citizens in South Africa and Kenya are contributing money and food to the aid efforts in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, but that overall the response from Africa was inadequate.

Though Namibia has pledged $500000 (R3.5-million), South Africa has pledged only $1-million. Houghton said the pledge by the South African government was not enough, given the country's economic status.

The UN said more than $1.4-billion was needed for famine relief efforts.

"Most [countries] are yet to make a decent contribution and show the true meaning of African solutions to African problems."

Houghton said Oxfam expects African governments to raise at least $50-million.

Famine in Somalia has killed tens of thousands of people, and more than 12million are in need of food aid in the Horn of Africa.