US aid agency suspends food as drought grips Ethiopia

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A US aid agency is suspending food aid to Ethiopia, because it says donations are being diverted from those in need.

Ethiopian government agencies and the military are behind the scheme, according to a leaked memo.

Some 20 million Ethiopians, who are facing severe food shortages because of war and drought, will be affected.

The United States remains the single largest humanitarian donor to Ethiopia, providing more than $1.8b (£1.4b) in assistance since fiscal year 2022.

The US Agency for International Aid (USAid) is an independent agency that leads the US government's international development and humanitarian efforts.

It said a review of its operations in Ethiopia found what it called a "widespread and co-ordinated campaign" to divert food assistance.

 

The agency did not publicly say who it believed was behind the campaign.