News In Brief

Ethiopia going all out to ease mounting famine

The government has now given top priority to an emergency campaign to ease the plight of 6 million drought victims, a senior relief expert said. Dawit Wolde Giorgis, head of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, said Wednesday drought relief would take priority over all development efforts. Doctors at the Korem food station north of Addis Ababa said about 40 people were dying daily, compared with 20 a month ago.

Mr. Giorgis appealed for more Western aid and expressed disappointment and regret at what he called the ''unsatisfactory relief assistance provided by the international community.