Thousands threatened with food and water shortages

An estimated 145,000 people are threatened with food and water shortages in Borena in the Oromiya regional state of southern Ethiopia, humanitarian sources said. In parts of Arero, Dire, Yabello and Teltele, malnutrition cases have been reported among several children and adults as a result of poor food security conditions, a UN/NGO/government assessment team found. The team said people had to walk 12-48 hours to obtain water for human consumption. The team also visited displaced communities where the situation “required immediate life saving measures,” the report said. “WFP and the Ethiopian government are aware of the evolving situation in southern Ethiopia and steps have already been taken to provide relief assistance,” WFP Information Officer Angela Walker in Addis Ababa told IRIN today.