United Nations Radio

A top UN official has expressed concern about drought in Ethiopia, saying the southeastern region of the country is the most worrying of all the areas effected by food shortages in the Horn of Africa nation.

UN humanitarian chief John Holmes says the drought in southeastern Ethiopia is "particularly worrying," adding "I think we need to give it special attention in the months to come."

Holmes spoke to reporters in the capital Addis Ababa after touring southern and southeastern Ethiopia.

He made his comments on the final day of a three-day trip to Ethiopia to see how the country is coping with the effects of the drought.

The UN says more than 4 million Ethiopians need emergency assistance and a further 8 million need immediate food relief.

Earlier this week, Holmes urged aid agencies to help ensure that Ethiopia's devastating food crisis des not become a famine.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

(duration: 48")