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The United States has announced more than $488 million in humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia on the same day Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in the country for meetings with top government leaders.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arriving in Ethiopia 7/27/22

The United States has announced more than $488 million in humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia on the same day Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in the country for meetings with top government leaders.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) says that the $488 million will provide “critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Ethiopia as historically unprecedented drought threatens the survival of more than 8.1 million people.”

According to USAID, the money will be used to purchase grain for communities facing extreme hunger, provide cash payments to Ethiopians that will directly support the local economy, and distribute a special peanut-based supplements to help treat malnourished children.

In addition to the food assistance, USAID will also allocate money to provide safe drinking water and support farmers by providing veterinary services, food for livestock, and tools needed to help expand and harvest crops.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (left) & Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen (right) meeting 7/27/22

The announcement comes as Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov spent the day with Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen in the country’s capital Addis Ababa.

At a press conference with the Russian Foreign Minister, Lavrov dismissed claims that food shortages are being caused by Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports. He said “The situation in Ukraine did negatively affect food markets, but not due to the Russian special operation, rather due to the absolutely inadequate reaction of the West, which announced sanctions.” Following Lavrov’s remarks, Demeke said Ethiopia was grateful for “Russia’s unwavering support in helping us in safeguarding Ethiopia’s sovereignty.”

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