UK International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has visited Mogadishu and warned of a race against time to tackle the "devastating famine".
The government said he was the first British minister to visit the Somalian capital in 18 years.
Two weeks ago, Islamist rebels pulled out of Mogadishu, but conflict has hampered aid efforts in the country.
Mr Mitchell said he wanted to see how best Britain could help famine victims and announced a £25m support package.
The UN estimates that 12 million people have been affected by drought in the region, and has declared a famine in parts of Somalia.
Mr Mitchell, who has now left Mogadishu, said: "The stark fact is that in southern Somalia the situation is deteriorating by the day. We could face deaths on a similar scale to those seen in 1991-2 if we do not act urgently now. This is a race against time."
He said there would be new UK support for UNICEF - the UN organisation for children - to help provide supplementary rations for up to 192,000 people and supplies to vaccinate 800,000 children against measles.
UNICEF will also provide polio vaccines, vitamin A, and deworming supplies and equipment to help prevent malaria.
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