ADDIS ABEBA(July 10,2008) - The UK government has committed another $40 million to the humanitarian crisis in drought-stricken Ethiopia, in addition to the $10 million provided in May, the Department for International Development (DFID) announced on Wednesday.

In a statement sent to The Daily Monitor, DFID' Ethiopia office said the aid was in response to a new appeal by the Government of Ethiopia and the UN, outlining the need for $425 million for food aid.

It said UK's own assessment of the crisis "confirms the worsening situation and the need for additional funds."

Up to one hundred thousand people are suffering from acute malnutrition and the United Nations estimate that 4.6 million are at risk as a result of the food shortages.

Rising food prices and rain failure in the southern and eastern parts of Ethiopia have resulted in serious food shortages in the country. In some areas, food prices are more than double than last year.

"A Drought and rising global food price has meant Ethiopia does not have enough food to feed its people," the statement quoted UK's Minister for International Development, Douglas Alexander, as saying.

"Close to five million people need immediate food assistance and it is for this reason that the UK is giving an additional $ 40 million," he added.

The minister said the money would ensure more people are being fed but said further aid was needed.

"I urge other international donors to bring forward additional funding to ensure we can meet Ethiopia's needs," he said.

The additional funding takes the UK's overall contribution to $50 million, 10% of the overall need.

In May, The UK Department for International Development (DFID) provided $10 million to the Humanitarian Response Fund following an appeal by the Government of Ethiopia and the UN.

These funds were allocated to UN agencies and NGOs working on emergency health and nutrition interventions.

The additional $40 million will be allocated to the following funds:

$8 million to the Humanitarian Response Fund for immediate disbursement to NGOs and UN agencies to scale up emergency feeding programmes. This is additional to the $10 million provided by DFID in May.

$10 million for the Production Safety Net Programme to extend the July transfer to cover another three months. This is additional to the $44 million DFID provided in January as part of DFID's regular annual payment.

At least $2 million to Medicines sans Frontiers to release core MSF funds for relief work in the Somali region.

Up to $20 million to WFP for targeted supplementary feeding for 1.2 million people over three months.