At the time of the appeal, UN special envoy Catherine Bertini warned that that the conflict with Ethiopia had resulted in both countries "diverting huge sums of money and resources to the war effort" rather than to drought-relief.

BBC: Eritrea issues drought warning

Rajasthan, a parched state with a long history of drought-relief works, comes closer to fulfilling that promise than anywhere else, providing 68 days of work on average in the year to March 2008, according to a survey published in Frontline, an Indian newsweekly.

ECONOMIST: Asia

An abundant monsoon, bringing relief and modest prosperity to drought-plagued areas, has lifted optimism about India's economic prospects higher than for several years.

ECONOMIST: In training for the big match next year

Washington's budget boffins worry that all kinds of other requests will be attached to money for Katrina relief, such as (paradoxically) drought relief for farmers in the mid-west.

ECONOMIST: When government fails

As part of drought relief, Ceara has enrolled 200, 000 people in literacy classes and school-repair work.

ECONOMIST: Brazil