EC pledges 70 million euros for food aid

The EC has pledged 70 million euros (US $68.6 million) towards providing food for millions of Ethiopians facing starvation. The pledge, which follows an international appeal by the government for help, brings the total value of EC emergency aid to Ethiopia to 97 million euros over the past year. The latest pledge equates to about 260,000 mt of food, and is expected to help meet needs for the first half of 2003. According to the Ethiopian government, some 11.3 million people will need food aid in 2003, rains having failed in many parts of the country. In a statement, however, the EC noted that while lives must be saved, Ethiopia and the international community should not lose sight of the need for long-term development. It noted that only through development would the country finally succeed in breaking out of the cycle of dependency and food shortages. "While relief is crucial to save lives, both government and donors agree that the situation over the long term will not improve just with emergency food aid," the EC said. "The crisis can only be adequately addressed if, in parallel to the emergency response, substantial efforts are devoted to tackle the structural problems. This long-term support is the focus of the EC's assistance, both through its food security and budget support programmes," it added. The announcement by the EC also comes after criticism brought to bear by international charities that it was not doing enough to help drought-hit families. The EC dismissed the claims.