MINNEAPOLIS — The U.S. is pledging an additional $23 million in grants to support famine relief efforts in Somalia.

The announcement was made Wednesday by USAID administrator Raj Shah. He said with the new funding, the United States has so far committed over $600 million to ease the crisis in East Africa, where more than 12 million people need help.

Shah, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, and others participated in a forum about the famine at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. About 350 people attended.

Shah says it’s difficult to help people in areas controlled by al-Shabab terrorists. He says USAID is working on targeted programs to help save as many lives as possible. Those efforts include high nutrition meals, medical care and vaccines.