'Seven million Ethiopians' in need of food aid

Some seven million people in the Ethiopia are in need humanitarian aid, including emergency food assistance, according to the state-owned news agency ENA.

It says the figures are from the National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC).

The commission's spokesperson Debebe Zewede is quoted as saying that initial assessment indicates that the country is in need of over $1bn (£765.7m) in humanitarian aid.

He said that Ethiopia has been facing a recurrent drought which is affecting the country's economy and the lives of the people.

Mr Debebe added that six million people are receiving food aid this year compared to eight million last year.