Facts about the Drought in Ethiopia
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The food security situation in Ethiopia is presented by Shiferaw Mamo, Food Security Coordinator at Caritas Ethiopia.
In Ethiopia, the impact of the failed spring belg rains (March-May) was compounded by the arrival of El Niño weather conditions that weakened the mainkiremt rains (June-September) that feed 80 to 85 per cent of the country. This greatly expanded food insecurity and malnutrition and devastated livelihoods. The number of food-aid beneficiaries has increased from 2.9 million in January 2015 to 8.2 million in October and 10.2 million in December. In addition to this, there are about 7.9 million people who are chronically food in-secure and who are covered by the WFP's Productive Safety Net Programme. |
Shiferaw Mamo, Food Security Coordinator at Caritas Ethiopia.
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The immediate outlook is for prolonged drought in the north and west of the country, while potentially serious flooding is expected in the southern rangelands.
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Water and pasture shortages have decreased livestock production and caused livestock deaths in pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities. As of August 2015, the malnutrition situation in selected woredas (localities) has surpassed the level seen during the 2011 Horn of Africa La Niña drought. Close to 400,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition. This number is expected to rise, with potentially 100,000 new cases.
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The Caritas Finland donation account is
Danske Bank FI73 8000 1270 1545 04 Please use the Lenten Collection reference number 2257. There are collection boxes in the churches. Help the victims of drought in Africa!
The theme for Caritas Finland's and Caritas Sweden's joint Lenten Collection is drought and hunger in the Horn of Africa and southern Africa. Please help us to help! The aid will be channeled to those in need through Caritas Internationalis. In addition to emergency aid and development cooperation, collection monies will also be used to fund charitable work in Finland (10%). |
Photo: David Snyder for Catholic Relief Services.
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