Addis Ababa (AFP) Sept 10, 2009 – The European Union granted Ethiopia 10 million euros (14.5 million dollars) to help feed more than six million people in need of emergency aid due to drought, the bloc said Thursday. “Ethiopia faces growing humanitarian challenges which are largely due to climate change,” EU’s country representative Dino Sinigallia said in a statement. Failed rains have put 6.2 million Ethiopians in need of emergency aid. The grant brings to 29 million euros (42 million dollars) the total amount of aid Brussels has given Ethiopia this year, the statement said. Ethiopia — Africa’s second most populous country after Nigeria, with nearly 80 million inhabitants — has been badly affected by droughts and rising food prices.

EU gives Ethiopia 10 million euros for drought victims