Addis Ababa, Feb.13 (ENA)--The United States ambassador to the UN food agencies in Rome, Tony Hall would visit Ethiopia to discuss the drought situation in the country.

During his visit, Hall would meet and hold talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, AFP reported on Tuesday.

The ambassador is also scheduled to visit some of the drought-affected regions, particularly in the southern part of Ethiopia.

Responding to reporters about food aid to Africa, Hall said global preoccupation with the Iraqi crisis was drowning out food aid appeals for African countries where millions face starvation.

''What I fear is that because of the focus on Iraq so much of the humanitarian help that would come through other governments, NGOs and private individuals is just not going to be there,'' he said.

Hall said US government's food aid to the continent of Africa, where WFP estimates 38 million people face serious shortages, would not be affected regardless of a conflict in Iraq.

The US international food aid budget for next year is 1.185 billion dollars, which includes aid to Africa, but not any potential humanitarian requirement for Iraq.

The United States, which has been one of the three top donors, gave only 155,000 tons of food last year, compared with 340,000 tons in 2001, citing concerns over transparency, according to AFP's report.

(ENA)