Drought forces Ethiopia to ask for $948m to help its citizens

ON THE heels of failed rains and a calamitous El Niño in Ethiopia, an appeal has been launched for $948 million (R12.8billion) to urgently address food and non-food needs.

The humanitarian response plan, launched by the Ethiopian government and humanitarian partners, aims to help 5.6 million people mainly in the southern and eastern parts of the country, according to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

“Last year the government of Ethiopia, with the support of international donors and humanitarian partners, was able to mount the biggest drought response operation in global history.

“Today we need that partnership once again as we face a new drought, with 5.6 million in need of urgent assistance,” said Commissioner Mitiku Kassa, head of the National Disaster Risk Management Commission.

“Humanitarian partners stand ready to support the government in addressing the needs of those Ethiopians affected by this new drought,” said the UN Resident and Humanitarian Co-ordinator Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie.

Failed rains in southern and eastern parts of the country were caused by the negative Indian Ocean Dipole.

The plan prioritises humanitarian assistance in water and sanitation, agriculture, relief food, nutrition, health, education, protection, and shelter and non-food items in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation warned that a new drought across southern Ethiopia may jeopardise the nation’s restoration of food security after the worst agricultural seasons in decades. – ANA