“The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), have provided $340 million in emergency and humanitarian food aid — more than 464,000 metric tons –and more than $60 million in emergency nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, and similar non-food assistance over the last year to support vulnerable families and communities in Ethiopia,” said USAID Ethiopian office.

The aid was made available following Ethiopia’s appeal to feed 6.2 million people who depends on food assistance due to poor rain the last and this year harvesting time.

It was reported that the USAID is providing an initial contribution of $ 50 million to the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) and $ 25 million to a consortium of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to respond to these relief needs.

“This most recent $75 million donation, representing 117,810 metric tons of food, has been ordered and should arrive in mid- to late-January 2010. This donation will support WFP contributions to the general relief program, and support emergency relief efforts undertaken by the NGO consortium,” said USAID,

“An August 2009 contribution of $ 90 million in food relief commodities is scheduled to arrive in mid-November, allowing continued USAID support of relief needs,” added USAID.

A number of Ethiopian development partners and the donor communities are responding to Ethiopia’s appeal.

“The U.S. Government remains committed to working in collaboration with other donors and the Government of Ethiopia to assist Ethiopians in need of food,” said Ethiopian USAID Mission Director Thomas H. Staal.

“These important, life-saving efforts are necessary to confront food insecurity in Ethiopia,” he added.

Source African Press Agency

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