The country that boasts the source of the Blue Nile, tumbling out of the sparkling waters of Lake Tana, is synonymous in the West with drought and famine.

No wonder Ethiopian government ministers cringe whenever the topic comes up. They would prefer to talk about undoubted achievements — impressive economic growth rates, smart new roads and buildings, a streamlined efficient civil service, increased exports, reduced defence expenditure and so on.

(RTTNews) - Thursday, the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved a $350 million grant and a $130 million credit to the Ethiopian government, as the nation grapples with a food crisis.

The financing is intended to support the government's Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP), which provides transfers to the chronically food insecure population in a way that prevents asset depletion at the household level and creates productive assets at the community level.