It was not the intention to allow those on the ground to use the 'chutes as 'makeshift shelters' on Op Agila (Rhodesia/Zimbabwe). The low return of the 'chutes very quickly depleted the UK stock of 18 and 28 foot parachutes. I doubt that we could sustain any prolonged airdrop commitment given the parlous state of the UK airdrop stores.
The Ethiopia airdrop was mainly grain in sacks for which free drop was by far the best method.