May 15, 2022
1 min read

More than 11 million people in Ethiopia affected by drought

More than 11 million people in Ethiopia alone are affected by the Horn of Africa drought, UN humanitarians said…reports Asian Lite News

“More than 7.2 million people need food assistance, and 4 million people need water assistance,” said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

“At least 286,000 people in Ethiopia have migrated in search of water, pasture, or assistance. These are people with the means to travel. Others, often the elderly or the sick, have had to stay behind.”

The office said lack of pasture and water killed at least 1.5 million head of livestock. An additional 10 million head are at risk. Many of the remaining livestock are weak and provide little or no milk, affecting children’s nutrition, reports Xinhua news agency.

The humanitarian office said the severe drought, following three consecutive failed rainy seasons, also affected the schooling of more than 500,000 children.

OCHA said its humanitarian partners are scaling up assistance, supporting the Ethiopian government.

Humanitarians provided food to about 4.9 million people, treated or vaccinated more than 2 million head of livestock. More than 3.3 million people received water assistance.

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths, who heads OCHA, is visiting the drought-afflicted area, calling attention to the suffering in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

ALSO READ: Unicef faces funding gap to meet needs of 9.9mn Ethiopians

He virtually met people directly affected by the drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region.

Griffiths’ office said he released $12 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to support the humanitarian action.

The Ethiopia humanitarian fund has also allocated $17 million for the crisis.

However, OCHA said additional funding is urgently needed.

The UN and humanitarian partners require $480 million to support the response through October.

Previous Story

Africa’s Covid-19 cases pass 11.54 mn

Next Story

AFP launches newly formed AFP MEA Treasury Advisory Council

Latest from AFRICA NEWS

Mali embraces solar power for rural areas  

The border village of Karan and its 3,000 people used to go days without electricity. Now, enough power is available around the clock to run small video gaming centers and boost commercial

British exports shine in African infrastructure 

Established 18 years ago, Dints is a London-based project integrator that specialises in connecting buyers, suppliers, logistics providers, and funding partners  A significant partnership between UK Export Finance (UKEF) and British firm

Congo doubles salaries for beleaguered army  

M23 has seized eastern Congo’s two largest cities in a swift offensive that has left thousands dead, forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, and piled pressure on President Felix Tshisekedi 
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Iraqi PM seeks to revive Iran-Saudi talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said his country welcomes the

Mohamed bin Zayed invites Indonesia President to visit UAE

Al Mazrouei thanked the Indonesian side for inviting the United