Ethiopia Caught In The Middle Of Horn Of Africa Emergency

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 23 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) appealed for US$460 million to feed 9.6 million hungry people affected by drought and high food prices in Ethiopia through to March next year.

"The Horn of Africa region is facing the worst humanitarian crisis since 1984, and Ethiopia is caught in the middle," said WFP Executive Director, Josette Sheeran. "We know what needs to be done - we just need the funds to go out and do our job, protecting the hungry."

Around a quarter of those in need - some 2 million people - live in the arid Somali Region of Ethiopia where it has not rained for three years. Pastoralist communities in the region have already lost half of their cattle herds. People are skipping meals and parents are pulling children out of school so that they can help to beg in towns or scour the countryside for food.

"Millions of people are in extreme distress and urgently need food and nutrition," said Sheeran.

WFP is facing a similar humanitarian challenge in neighbouring Somalia, where 3.25 million people - almost half the population - have been affected by drought, high food prices and conflict.

Ninety percent of WFP's food deliveries to Somalia arrive by sea, but attacks by pirates are disrupting supply lines and discouraging ship owners from making the journey. A Canadian naval vessel that has been escorting ships carrying humanitarian aid will withdraw its support on 27 September, and no nation has yet volunteered to take over this protective role.

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency and the UN's frontline agency for hunger solutions. This year, WFP plans to feed around 90 million people in 80 countries.

WFP