Ethiopia Appeals for Food Aid Amid Drought

A five-year drought has affected more than 23 million people in seven east African nations. According to Mitiku Kassa, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, “As a result, the number of people needing emergency assistance during the period Oct.-Dec. 2009 has increased to 6.2 million from 4.9 million at beginning of the year.” He is asking for 159,410 tons of food, 11 tons of fortified blended food and $45 million in non-food needs.

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLM526117