Ambassador Aurelia Brazeal announced last Tuesday an additional United States Government pledge of 43,000 MT of food assistance valued at US$ 25.5 million, or 219 million birr. This additional pledge is in response to the third appeal of the DPPC. The food assistance, which will be distributed to the World Food Program, includes 8,000 metric tons (MT) of cornmeal, 20,000 MT of highly nutritious Corn Soya Blend, and 15,000 MT of wheat.

Since the crisis in Ethiopia emerged in July 2002, the US Government has been working with the Government of Ethiopia and all partners to respond to the food crisis. The US Government has, to date, provided over 755,000 MT of food aid assistance, valued at approximately 342 million dollars, or 2.9 billion birr, to meet emergency food needs. This assistance has been distributed through a variety of partners.

These include 343,000 MT to the World Food Program, 363,000 MT to the Joint Emergency Operations Program, 29,740 MT to International Committee of the Red Cross, and 19,240 MT to the USAID funded Save the Children UK's Relief to Development Program. In addition, the US Government has provided 28 million dollars, or 238 million birr, in non-food assistance to meet other needs such as water and sanitation, seeds and agriculture rehabilitation, and primary health care and nutrition.