November 17, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) - The resettlement programme, which government says will be voluntary, will be carried out in four regional states.

The Ethiopian Federal Ministry said the programme would help the households to benefit from the country's socio and economic development activities.

"By resettling these people in a village, they will benefit from the socio, and economic development of the country," the ministry said.

It was reported that some 55 000 households from the Somali region, 27 000 from Afar, 30 000 from Benishangual Gumz, and 20,000 from Gambela regional states will be resettled.

The government says the targetted regions were among some of the worst affected by drought and need special assistance.

In a report to Parliament on Wednesday the Federal Ministry said the resettlement programme will see people relocating voluntarily to areas where their way of life can be enhanced.

Last year, around 125,085 out of 144,214 households were reportedly resettled in the Somali and Benishangul Gumz states.

"This year resettlement programme will be carried out phase by phase," said Mulugeta Weletaw, State Minister of Federal Affairs.

The resettlement, which is expected to last for at least eight months, will cost the government tens of million dollars.