In the midst of the worst drought in 50 years, Ethiopia’s population finds just some relief in the rain reaching parts of the country, Thomson Reuters Foundation reported.

In February this year the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) wrote that over ten million people are in need of food aid due to the catastrophic drought. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin visited the country in late January to grasp the consequences of the drought, stated the WFP.

The Addis Standard wrote that Ethiopia remains one of the most food-insecure countries in the world, stating that one in four people are living below the poverty line. Malnutrition has risen sharply and humanitarian needs have tripled since the start of 2015.

The UN has called for immediate support to the country to end the suffering that many are having to endure due to the drought.

During his visit Ban Ki Moon stated that the crisis “was too much for any Government”. He continued to state that “the international community must stand with people of Ethiopia, immediate support for Ethiopia will save lives and avoid preventable suffering. Immediate support will also safeguard the impressive development gains that Ethiopia has made over the past years and decades.”

However, whilst a call for aid has been voiced, the country continues to be in a state of disarray.

John Graham, country director for Save the Children said that “overall, the crisis is going to worsen up until August or September,” reported Reuters. “We have not seen the worst yet,” he continued.