ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The United States will more than double its humanitarian aid to Ethiopia's troubled Ogaden region, a top official said following talks in the country's capital.
U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Henrietta Fore promised the aid increase to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zanawi during talks last week between U.S. officials and the Ethiopian government over border tensions between the country and neighboring Eritrea, Voice of America reported Sunday.
Under the deal, the U.S. would increase its aid to the insurgency-wracked region from $19 million to about $45 million.
Meles' decision to allow outside help to flow into the region is a reversal of its decision last July to expel the International Red Cross and other humanitarian groups.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and several U.S. lawmakers are also planning to visit the region, VOA said.
