Hugh Jackman urges fans to help Africa famine relief

Hugh Jackman has urged fans to dig deep and donate to a fund for Africans caught up in the current famine crisis.

The X-Men star and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness have been left horrified by news of the humanitarian crisis hitting countries including Kenya and Ethiopia.

They couple, who are ambassadors for World Vision Australia, have filmed a video appeal calling for relief effort donations.

In the clip, Jackman says, "World Vision are supporting long-term programs such as drought tolerant crops, help for herders' animals and families to diversify their income source so that drought doesn't leave them without an income.

"World Vision urgently needs your help to assist those in need."

Furness adds, "Children are the most vulnerable in times of crisis like this and in the worst hit areas of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia nearly half a million young people are at risk of malnutrition.

"Hugh and I have been in Ethiopia, and we've seen first-hand the World Vision staff who work on the ground. They're at the crisis points now providing lifesaving food and water."