Food supply in Ethiopia and southern Africa is very low, with dry conditions last year cutting into crop production significantly.

The prolonged drought, which included failed short and long rains during the growing season, is a consequence of the most powerful El Niño event in recent history.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) executive director Jim Cornelius has been in Ethiopia this week, and says the dry conditions have devestated crop production, which in turn, has cut into food supply and income for farmers.

"This is their livelihood," Cornelius says, noting that decreased production means farmers might not have enough money for school fees or medical expenses. "It was a devestating crop loss for many different households."

In Ethiopia, Cornelius says the government has been working hard to bring food into the neediest households, but he says the government will soon need help, as most Ethopians are feeling nervous about food supply for the coming months.

"Normally the poorest households go through a lean season in ordinary years, sort of running from around April through to July and August," he says. "What's happened is those hunger months came much earlier now because they've run out of food much earlier in the year because of very poor harvest, and we're expecting things to get decidely worse coming into April, May, and June."

According to the World Food Programme and the United Nations, the countries most affected by the drought include Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Swaziland and Ethiopia, affecting about 24 million people.

Cornelius says things are looking up somewhat for the upcoming growing season, as it has rained in some parts of southern Africa.

"I was up in some highland areas... that's where they've had the earliest rains. They're actually starting to see some corn sprouting up," he says. "Now, if these rains aren't sustained, then of course that crop could quickly dry up."

Cornelius says the lowland areas are a bigger concern, as that's where the worst part of the drought continues. He adds while things can change for the new crop year, they still don't have enough food supply for the months leading up to harvest.

Cornelius says if international agencies like CFGB can work together and take quick action, countries like Ethiopia may be able to avoid disaster. To help assist CFGB in the efforts to help African people, visit their website, foodgrainsbank.ca.