GOAL has received a grant of $2m (€1.35m) from the US government to help fund its work in drought-afflicted Ethiopia.

"A severe drought situation which has been identified in a number of Ethiopian provinces," GOAL said today.

GOAL, who has worked in the East African country since 1984, is heavily involved in feeding and nutrition programmes, helping several thousand families.

GOAL’s CEO John O’Shea said: "This latest injection of funds will enable us to expand quite significantly our humanitarian programmes which are aimed at those in greatest need. We are most grateful to the US government."