Addis Abeba — The UK Government announced a four billion birr grant aid to Ethiopia to support the provision of basic services, social protection and humanitarian assistance, Minister of State for International Development, Gareth Thomas, said on Tuesday at the premises of the UK Embassy here.

The UK has put in place a robust mechanism to make sure that the money is appropriately used for the intended purposes. It is also paying very close attention to developments in the political arena and related issues, the Minister said.

The grant is an indication of the growing relationship between the two countries as well as the progress made in Ethiopia, Thomas said and went on to add, challenges in food security and the provision of basic services, however, continue.

The purpose of his visit in Amhara region was to see first hand how the money is being spent and it is encouraging, he said. This visit is also important to understand the reality on the ground before the meeting with Prime Minister Meles and others.

The point is building people's assets, and partnerships need to be strengthened further whereby donors step up their support while Ethiopia make sure aid workers get access and all parties have a part in the elections.

The UK Government is following up developments in the political arena very closely and the code of conduct agreed on recently is a welcome development, the Minister said. Any allegations that aid is not being delivered by the Ethiopian government properly, as the opposition claim regarding the recent aid distribution, is considered seriously. But that has to be investigated thoroughly and established, he said and added, he has raised the issue with the deputy prime minister.

The Minister said he has not met opposition parties so far.

Surveys of safety net programs undertaken by the international community have high satisfaction returns. But they will watch developments in Ethiopia extremely closely because answers have to be provided in the UK parliament, he said.

The fund will be used over the next three years for, among others, healthcare, education, water, sanitation, road, and education quality improvement programme.

The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia continues to be a cause for concern and that the UK government will work with the government of Ethiopia and other partners to address it, Mr. Thomas said, and added, but the situation in Ethiopia today is very different from the one in 1984.