(Ecofin Agency) - U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) just announced it would grant Ethiopia $128 million to fight the drought it has been facing over the past 50 years.

This grant should serve to buy food, water, treat malnutrition, and pay mobile health teams, said Thomas Stall, assistant at the humanitarian affairs, conflicts and institution’s democracy office.

With this aid, US’ financial support to the country to overcome the crisis comes to $705 million, since 2014. The Ethiopian government itself has provided around $381 million in this framework.

It must however be highlighted that these efforts are far from enough given that Ethiopia, just for this year, needs $1.4 billion. Drought in Ethiopia is a result of El Niño weather phenomenon.

Aaron Akinocho