( CNN ) -- The African Union plans to host a delayed summit Thursday to raise funds for famine victims amid mounting criticism over the continent 's weak response to the disaster . The meeting originally planned for August 9 was postponed this month even as the organization called on urgent aid to the drought-struck Horn of Africa region . `` Urgent humanitarian assistance is crucial to alleviate the impact of the drought , which has deprived people from water , sanitation , health , basic food and nutritional needs , '' the 54-nation body said in a statement announcing the delay . It did not give a reason for postponing the meeting , which will be held at its headquarters in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia . A drought in the Horn of Africa region straddling Ethiopia , Kenya and Somalia has left nearly 12 million people in need of assistance . Somalia is especially badly hit , with a famine declared in some parts of the nation . Relief efforts in Somalia have been hindered by the ongoing battle between Islamist rebels and the transitional government , which holds little sway beyond Mogadishu . Aid agencies have urged the international community to ramp up help as thousands flee Somalia each week in search of food and water -- many walking for days in the sweltering sun to refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia . The meeting comes as aid groups urge the continent 's leaders to step up their efforts . `` The African Union has so far pledged only $ 500,000 for the aid effort , and most key governments have pledged even less or nothing at all , '' Oxfam said in a statement this month . Only a handful of African nations have donated to the effort , according to Oxfam .
The meeting originally scheduled for August 9 was postponed this month . A crisis in the Horn of Africa has leaves 12 countries in need of assistance . The crisis comes as aid groups urge the region 's leaders to step up their efforts .