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12.5 million Ethiopians facing starvation
New York, May 29: The United Nations World Food Programme has warned that some 12.5 million Ethiopians are at risk of starving as there is substantial shortfall in the agency`s 90 million-dollar appeal for emergency operations in that country.
New York, May 29: The United Nations World Food
Programme has warned that some 12.5 million Ethiopians are at
risk of starving as there is substantial shortfall in the
agency's 90 million-dollar appeal for emergency operations in
that country.
"As we enter Ethiopia's lean season before the harvest,
the number threatened by starvation has shot up from 11
million to 12.5 million and our best estimates are that it is
still climbing," WFP executive director James Morris told the
agency's executive board.
Despite an early alert and a rapid response by the
international community, there is still a substantial
shortfall of some 230,000 tons of food aid towards 2003
operation requirements totalling 619,000 tons, WFP said.
"We have not had enough support to give out a complete
cereal ration in Ethiopia and we and our partners have been
forced to reduce it from 15 kg a month to 12.5 kg," Morris
said.
"Currently we have commitments of about half of what we
need for the new emergency operation. A threat of a pipeline
break in September remains," he said, adding cutting rations
was only done in "desperation".
As a result, only the most vulnerable Ethiopians have so far received the full 15 kilograms of cereal ration required each month per person, WFP said warning that until food assistance is available to all in need, malnutrition rates will continue to rise.
Besides a food shortage, the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia is exacerbated by a lack of clean drinking water, widespread seed shortage and poor sanitation, nutrition and primary health care, according to WFP.
Bureau Report
As a result, only the most vulnerable Ethiopians have so far received the full 15 kilograms of cereal ration required each month per person, WFP said warning that until food assistance is available to all in need, malnutrition rates will continue to rise.
Besides a food shortage, the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia is exacerbated by a lack of clean drinking water, widespread seed shortage and poor sanitation, nutrition and primary health care, according to WFP.
Bureau Report