In a bid to encourage leaders in the Horn of Africa who have been meeting on humanitarian issues in Addis Abeba, the U.S. Congress this week approved new legislation designed to alleviate hunger in the region.

The Horn of Africa Food Security and Recovery Act marks an important development in U.S. foreign policy in the region, according to Sharon Pauling, Africa policy analyst with Bread for the World, a major non- governmental supporter of the legislation.

Pauling said that the new law “sets a course that is based on the expressed needs of the people of the Horn, rather than primarily on U.S. short-term political interests.” The bill, expected to be signed by President George Bush, is intended to move U.S. policy toward providing long-term solutions to the recurring famines which have plagued the region.

The law specifically targets development and reconstruction assistance to grassroots groups and operations and prohibits aid to governments until sufficient progress is made towards democratic rule and the observance of human rights. It also calls on Washington to significantly increase support for United Nations efforts in peace negotiations and relief operations.

The U.N World Food Program currently estimates that 23 million people are at risk of starvation in the region.

This week’s action by the U.S. Congress also includes provisions removing certain legal obstacles to providing U.S. development aid allowing the release of $80 million in development aid to Ethiopia and Somalia. The law bans the provision of any military aid or training to Ethiopia, Somalia or Sudan.