US pledges $70m for Ethiopia
2008-06-11 08:21
Addis Ababa - The United States on Tuesday pledged $70m in food aid for Ethiopia where 4.5 million people are in need of emergency food aid.
Some 95 000 metric tons of food was expected in the Horn of Africa nation next month, a statement from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) said.
Ethiopia would receive an additional $10m in medical supplies, water services and other non-food aid.
Last week, Ethiopia said the number of people in need of food aid had risen to 4.5 million from 2.2 million due to failed rains, as it issued a plea for international help.
Also, Britain said it would donate an additional £10m ($20m) to Ethiopia for humanitarian relief.
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said a team of officials would arrive on Tuesday to assess the situation in the drought-hit country.
Food production in Ethiopia had been hurt by poor rain and crop failure. Rising global food prices had contributed to the hunger crisis.
Britain's International Development Department said the money would be spent on food and cash transfers to millions of vulnerable Ethiopians. The department had already donated £5m ($10m) toward food programmes in the country.
Alexander said the Ethiopian government was expected to launch an emergency appeal this week.