The drought situation in Ethiopia is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Contrary to the forecast at the beginning of the year, the onset of what locally is referred to as the belg rains, started late and stopped earlier than normal in 2015. As a result, food insecurity has deepened and malnutrition risen. These rains are vital for producing a good belg harvest, the country's second most important seasonal harvest. Families have lost their incomes and food supplies. Millions of children are hungry, thirsty and in danger of becoming critically malnourished.