OTTAWA - The federal government has given $8.5 million to a humanitarian coalition for famine relief efforts in Africa.
It's part of the $50 million Ottawa announced last month to help millions of people affected by a severe drought in East Africa.
Just over half of the total money will go to the UN's World Food Programme, with the rest going to aid organizations.
The $8.5 million will go to three of the coalition's five members -- CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada and Plan Canada.
The coalition has raised another $6.5 million through direct donations from Canadians, and says the money is urgently needed.
Canada is also matching dollar-for-dollar donations to private aid groups until Sept. 16.
