New pledges “critical”

The World Food Programme (WFP) warned that new donor pledges for Ethiopia were “critical” as only one pledge had been received for the Natural Disaster operation over the past three months. “With a global break in the pipeline expected in march, immediate confirmation of donor pledges is essential to avoid gaps in food distribution,” warned the WFP weekly report, 2 February. The food situation had stabilised in many parts of Ethiopia’s Somali Region because of good rains and substantial relief distributions over the last few months, the report said. But it emphasised that pockets of “severe needs” remained among a population displaced by drought and insecurity “even in areas of declining overall food aid needs.” Afder and Liben zones, southeastern Ethiopia, were two of the most needy zones. According to the report, WFP will continue to monitor the long dry season and the recent cutback on food allocations under the new appeal. It said there was concern over the lack of markets in the traditional cereal market towns of Gode and Hargele, southeastern Ethiopia. Poor roads in Afder and Liben zones caused truck breakdowns and delayed deliveries. Security remained a concern in the northern and central part of the Ethiopian Somali region. “Military activities have increased in the area south of Aware and more government troops are reported to be moving into the region. UN agencies are still able to reach refugee camps in the area, but monitoring by WFP from the air has been curtailed in Degehbour zone (southeastern Ethiopia).”