The United States has recently given $91 million in emergency food funds and $21 million in humanitarian aid to Ethiopia, one of the countries hardest hit by the food crisis.

From AllAfrica.com:

According to press statement from the US embassy in Addis Ababa , the donation was in response to Ethiopian government’s revised June 2008 Humanitarian Requirement Report.

This new donation coupled with last month’s announcement of $80 million in emergency assistance brings the total US assistance in response to the drought to [nearly] $200.

“The donations have come in response to continuing humanitarian needs in Ethiopia, where poor end erratic rainfall distribution, high food prices, ongoing conflict, arid limited humanitarian access have negatively impacted food, water, and pasture availability, resulting in increased malnutrition rates, food and water shortage, and heavy loss of livestock,” the statement said.

A majority of the funds will be divided between non-governmental organizations already performing on-the-ground relief work, such as UNICEF and the International Rescue Committee. Through their work, the funds are expected to help over 1 million people, including over 50,000 malnourished children.

-Betsy Avila

Last night, I held a “Idol Gives Back” watch party here in Columbus, Ohio. After watching a segment on AIDS orphans Melanie Berichon, a ONE member who attended, shared the below story with us. I had her write it down so I could share it with all of you.

“This past summer, I was in Addis Ababa. I was able to spend quite some time at a wonderful orphanage for HIV+ children.

Once they started getting the ARVs that were needed and at a fair price, children stopped dying. And so money that they used to save to pay for children’s coffins is now being used for growth and development, empowering the organization to grow and help so many more people.

There aren’t words to describe the feeling I had when seeing so many life saving drugs arrive at the orphanage.”

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I just wanted to share. Looking forward to seeing tonight’s show too.

-Katie Andrews, ONE regional field organizer