The United Nations and the Ethiopian government are jointly asking for $271 million in aid to feed the hungry and provide other basic services in that impoverished country next year.
A statement from the U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says more than 387,000 tons of food worth $159 million, and non-food assistance worth $122 million, is needed for 2005.
Some of the money will go to feed an estimated 2.2 million people who need emergency food aid. Assistance is also planned for another five million Ethiopians considered to be suffering from chronic food shortages.
The U.N. statement said that in addition to food assistance, critical non-food intervention in agriculture, health and nutrition, water and sanitation are to be given equal importance.
Ethiopia has been struggling to feed millions of its people affected by years of recurring drought.
Some information for this report provided by AFP.