More aid is still needed to help those people who are starving in Ethiopia. Since the original project was launched we have been able to get aid to more than the anticipated number of people, over 7600. However even in a good year, when the rains or crops don't fail, around 5 million people desperately need help to get enough to eat. This figure rapidly rises to 7 million when the rains fail. More donations are desperately needed to help those who are starving, and to help put early warning systems into place in case of another drought.

Food distribution to the starving people of the Shashemene District and Arsi Negele was begun on September 4 2008. Cooperation between government offices, the distribution committee and beneficiaries made the job a smooth and successful process. Thanks to your contributions we were able to provide the planned amount of food to 4825 adults (965 households) and 3360 children. However much, much more needs to be done. A recent joint assessment by the government and its humanitarian partners found that 4.9 million Ethiopians would require humanitarian assistance in the next six months. With your help we can help bring this figure down.