ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Poor rains and high crop prices have left more than 18 million people with serious food shortages in 10 African countries.

Diminishing water supplies and dry pastures are also fuelling conflict among rival tribes, and child malnutrition is reportedly rising in parts the Greater Horn of Africa region.

The warnings come from the U.S.-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network.

The food shortages are concentrated in Ethiopia, where more than half of the 18 million affected people live.

At least half of neighbouring Eritrea's population of 4.5 million is in peril, as are the 2.69 million people in Uganda.

Other countries affected included Sudan, Djibouti, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and Somalia.