24/3/2006
Almost 2 Million Ethiopians Need Assistance

Nearly two million people in Ethiopia’s drought-stricken southern region urgently require food assistance, livestock support, access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and health interventions, the United Nations said this week, highlighting a worsening humanitarian situation that is affecting increasing numbers.

Throughout the region some 1.7 million people require emergency food relief.  However this number is being reassessed as the number of people affected and their needs are believed to have increased significantly since the last assessment in November, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said.

“Additionally, more than 740,000 people urgently need emergency water; and more than 1.5 million children under five require immunisations against diseases such as measles, which prey upon the malnourished,” it said.

“To redress the situation, the United Nations agencies and partners have requested nearly $14 million for emergency programmes in these sectors under the country’s 2006 Humanitarian Appeal. However, only $2.1 million has been received so far.”

Within the Somali region, OCHA said the food security situation “is critical in some areas and deteriorating in others.” The World Food Programme (WFP) is providing food assistance to 1.5 million people, in conjunction with the Government of Ethiopia and non-governmental partners.

Large numbers of livestock, including cattle, goats, sheep and camels, continue to die in the two areas due to lack of food and water, and diseases. In collaboration with regional authorities, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is providing anti-parasitic drugs for the livestock.