The federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says food shortages in Africa's Sahel region could affect up to 23 million people if more aid is not received soon.

The federation said Tuesday there are already some 14 million people across the semi-arid region who do not have enough food.

Authorities blamed the crisis on poor harvests.

The Sahel region stretches across Chad, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Senegal.

The region is vulnerable to food shortages. Up to 10 million people were affected by the last food crisis two years ago.