The United Nations says more than a dozen countries have made $218 million in new pledges toward drought and humanitarian relief in the Horn of Africa.

The funding announced Saturday came during a mini summit on the ongoing crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Around 13 million people in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti have been affected by the prolonged drought and food shortages.

Even with the $218 million in new aid, authorities say an additional $500 million is needed to address the overall humanitarian issues in the eastern Africa region.

U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos says everyone must to work together to find sustainable ways to deal with future droughts and food shortages.

The President of the U.N. General Assembly says members of the current Assembly session will draft a resolution aimed at improving disaster prevention and response.

The crisis in the Horn of Africa has forced hundreds of thousands of Somalis to flee their homes in search of food and water, migrating to refugee camps in the Mogadishu area or in neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia.

Experts have warned that despite international relief efforts, famine is likely to spread to other parts of Somalia over the next few months.