Big cut in Ethiopian food rations

By Elizabeth Blunt
BBC News, Addis Ababa

More than 126,000 Ethiopian children could be affected by malnutrition

Ethiopians in need of emergency food aid have had their rations cut by a third because of food shortages.

The number of people in need of help has almost doubled because of a drought earlier this year.

The government relief agency increased its estimate of those requiring urgent assistance to more than 4.5 million.

A local official from the United Nations' World Food Programme said each person would get 10kg this month, down from 15kg previously.

By early June it was clear that Ethiopia was in the grip of a severe food crisis.

Now it has reached the point where the stores are almost empty and there is just not enough food for everyone who needs it.

Yolanda Hoegenkamp of the United Nations' World Food Programme said the government and its partners had to make the difficult choice between feeding only the most needy or trying to get supplies to all those in need but reducing the rations.

''We will try to reach as many people as possible in the worst affected areas with a reduced cereal rations meaning wheat, maize or sorghum," she said.

"Instead of 15kg, people will get 10kg per person per month.''

As well as rations for the emergency victims, food is also having to be found for people who get regular support in the form of cash but who live in areas mostly in the south, where there is almost no food to buy in the market.

They will get food this month instead of cash but again just two-thirds of a normal ration.

No decision has yet been taken on what to do in August but consignments of food are on their way and it is hoped that the situation will ease a little by August or September.