The Government has announced it will give €3 million in emergency funding for Ethiopia amid growing concerns at rising world food prices.
Minister for Foreign Affair Dermot Ahern said he was "gravely concerned" at price rises, which are hitting the vulnerable people in developing countries, millions of whom are living on less than €1 a day.
"The scale of recent increases has tipped many of these families over the edge - from a situation of serious deprivation to one of chronic hunger," Mr Ahern said.
Today's allocation brings Ireland's total to contribution to the United Nations World Food Programme to over €20 million so far this year.