Addis Ababa, Dec.11(ENA)--The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has pledged additional relief package to be used in the emergency operation underway to avert the drought induced humanitarian crisis.

The announcement was made by USAID Deputy Administrator Frederick W. Schieck during a meeting later on Wednesday with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Schieck told journalists that USAID will give priority attention for the emergency relief supply.

The USAID deputy administrator said he and Prime Minister Meles also discussed USAID financed development projects in Ethiopia in addition to the drought situation.

Schieck said he had visited the disaster places over the past four days and noted that the looming humanitarian crisis was prodigious.

He said he would facilitate ways and means for additional emergency relief supply as soon as he returns home.

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