Aid arrives in Ethiopia as rescue efforts go on

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 21 (Reuters) Aid agencies and governments struggled today to deliver food and supplies to tens of thousands left homeless in flood-ravaged Ethiopia, after rivers began overflowing earlier this month.

The flash floods have killed nearly 900 people and displaced about 48,000, according to United Nations estimates.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) delivered 85,000 dollar worth of supplies including food, mattresses and water treatment kits to badly hit Dire Dawa town, 525 km east of Addis Ababa.

''Among the most pressing humanitarian needs are the provision of shelter and sanitation services for 6,000 newly homeless individuals (in Dire Dawa),'' USAID mission director Glenn Anders said in a statement.

The African Union, which is based in Addis, pledged to give the Ethiopian government 100,000 dollar to help relief efforts.

Ethiopia's state news agency ENA also said Libya had delivered canned food, blankets and tents and would continue sending aid to the Horn of Africa nation this week.

Ethiopians have begun a national collection drive, with everyone from public servants to schoolchildren contributing.

The government has relocated 13,000 people in the northern Gondar region, ENA reported, and another 2,000 are being moved from around the overflowing Omo river in the south.

A group of US soldiers based in nearby Djibouti has also arrived in Dire Dawa, bringing 52 tents and planning to dig latrines for the 6,000 homeless currently sheltering in schools.

Ethiopia appealed for aid last week and has warned of more flooding in areas around the coffee-growing country.

Floods typically occur in its lowlands after heavy rains in the June-September rainy season drench the highlands.

REUTERS SP HS1723