Addis Ababa — The British Government's Department for International Development (DfID) has provided 6.9 million USD in response to the joint Ethiopia/United Nations Appeal for emergency assistance for 2.6 million people in Ethiopia, the British Embassy in Addis Ababa said Wednesday.

According to a press release the embassy sent to ENA, the fund would be used to establish a Humanitarian Response Fund (HRF) for Ethiopia.

The release said, the fund would be managed by the UN Humanitarian Co-coordinator, with support from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

This is a rapid and flexible source of funds which will respond to needs identified within the joint humanitarian appeal, revised appeals and flash appeals, in collaboration with the government of Ethiopia, it said.

Its first priority is to provide immediate, life-saving funds to those affected by the current drought.

The fund would be active immediately and funding will be disbursed to eligible non-governmental organizations and UN agencies, based on proposals received and reviewed by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator.

Donors are encouraged to provide further resources for the fund to UNOCHA, the release said.