Numbers affected by drought increase

The number of people affected by food shortages in Ethiopia has reached 10.5 million, said the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC), in a report posted on the pro-Ethiopian government Walta Information web site. DPPC sector heads put out a joint statement saying the number was based on the findings of various study teams dispatched to assess drought conditions in all regions, except the Somali and Afar regional states. According to the findings, 3.6 million people are affected in Amhara region; 2 million in Oromiya; 1.7 million in Tigray; and 3.2 million in other regions, including Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. Other teams have been dispatched to the Afar and Somali states and their findings will be released later. Attention was drawn to conditions in Jima Zone, Oromiya regional state, where drought continues. The DPPC officials also said residents of Dire Dawa, Shinile (Haraghe, eastern Ethiopia), lowland areas of Bale, North Omo, Hadiya and Kembata-Alaba-Tembaro zones (southern Ethiopia) need emergency food aid. “In realisation of the increasing number of the needy, DPPC has extended new food aid appeal to major international organisations in the amount of 495,000 tonnes”, said the report. DPPC said 400,000 tonnes of food grain, out of the previously pledged 784,000 tonnes, had arrived in the country. They added that the available stock of 83,000 metric tonnes was inadequate to meet emergency needs, and said pledged food grain should be brought to Ethiopia as soon as possible. Meanwhile, preparations are underway for national elections in the Somali National State, which were postponed during countrywide elections held in May, because of famine and insecurity. Ethiopian official media said campaigning in the region for district and national elections started 17 July, and voter registration was underway.