Consecutive seasons of failed rains, exacerbated by a rapidly growing population, rising inflation, endemic poverty, and limited government capacity, have led to chronic food insecurity and water shortages in Ethiopia. Approximately 7.2 million people continue to receive food or cash assistance through the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (GFDRE) Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP), which is funded by multiple donors. The delayed onset and poor performance of the March to April belg rains, combined with the failure of the previous two consecutive rains, has resulted in below normal harvests and diminished pasture throughout Somali, Oromiya, and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples (SNNP) regions. Significant humanitarian challenges, including flooding, conflict, malnutrition, acute watery diarrhea (AWD) outbreaks, delayed food response, and locust infestations, confront populations in many areas of the country. In Somali Region, insurgent activity and security operations have disrupted trade networks, and restrictions on the movement of people and livestock combined with the onset of drought conditions have exacerbated food insecurity for vulnerable populations. In April 2008, the GFDRE, the U.N., and humanitarian partners launched an appeal for $67.7 million to assist approximately 2.2 million people. As of June 2, the GFDRE and relief organizations report that the number of people in need of emergency assistance has increased to 4.5 million.