The European Commission announced Wednesday the dispatch of five million euros in emergency aid to drought-struck Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, with plans for a further 40 million euros in aid.

The five million euros (six million dollars) would be used to improve water, food, and basic healthcare supplies as well as supporting livestock in the region struggling with severe drought.

The UN World Food Program has warned of a looming "humanitarian catastrophe" in the Horn of Africa where millions of people face severe food and water shortages and potential famine.

Promising the European Union's "full attention" to the crisis, humanitarian aid commissioner Louis Michel said that Brussels had plans to make more money available soon.

"The 'long rains' are due in May but if they dont come, we could be facing a terrible situation," he said. "That is why we propose to earmark further funding of almost 40 million euros in the coming weeks and months."

The commission, the EU's executive arm, has already allocated 73 million euros in support against the current drought, including the five million euros offered Wednesday.

The United Nations and Kenya appealed Wednesday for more than 230 million dollars to help 3.5 million Kenyans threatened by famine from a drought that aid groups warn may become the country's worst post-independence crisis.