In a statement issued Wednesday, the bank recalled that many people in the two countries had been hit by the drought, which crippled the annual harvests and caused the deaths of many heads of livestock, leading to serious food shortages and famine.

According to the Eritrean government and UN agencies, two thirds of the country's population, some 2.3 million people, are in urgent need of aid because of the drought.

In neighbouring Ethiopia, the government fears that between 11 and 14 million people are at risk of famine. One Ethiopian in 10 needs urgent food aid, according to Addis Ababa.

The aid package will be distributed equally to the two countries and be destined for buying, transporting and distributing emergency food supplies, and to help offset the running costs of the World Food Programme.

SPACE.WIRE