Several million need food assistance in 3 regions

August 16, 1997
Addis Ababa (ENA) - Over 3.5 million people are facing food shortage in Amhara, Oromia and Somali regional states mainly due to crop failure last belg, small rains season.
This was revealed here at a meeting convened to evaluate the activities of regional disaster prevention and preparedness (DPP) bureaux during the past six months.
According to Ato Tamiru Kassa, head of the Amhara Regional DPP Bureau, about 1.5 million people face severe food shortage in North Wollo, South Wollo, North Shoa, Oromia, North Gondar, South Gondar and Wag Hemra zones.
These zones are notable for their extensive agricultural activities during the 'belg' season, he told the meeting.
Ato Tamiru said over 250,000 quintals of relief food has been distributed to the victims during the past six months. The amount distributed is only half of the target for the period, he said.
In Oromia, about 983,210 people need relief food due to erratic rain last belg, which resulted in crop failure and shortage of fodder. In West and East Hararge zones as well as lowland areas as Arsi, the problem has been compounded with crop failure during the main cultivation season, said Ato Tujar Hassim, head of the regional DPP Bureau. (Head of the Somali Regional DPP Bureau on his part said that there is still the threat of drought in the region.)
He said 66,287 quintals has been distributed to victims during the past six months. There are 1,074,890 people who need food assistance in the region.
_______ Ethiopian News Agency (ENA)

Salahdin Maow

Last modified: Thu Mar 25 14:14:57 MET