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Drought
in Ethiopia prompts response by Red Cross Red Crescent 23 February 2006 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching an appeal to raise 1.45 million Swiss francs (US$ 1.1 million / € 934 000) to help 36 000 people and their livestock in the critically-affected districts of Oromiya and Somali regions for a period of twelve months. These two areas, located about 800 km south of Addis Ababa, are among the worst hit by food insecurity, water shortage and health-related problems. The failure of the rains and the exhaustion of water sources, such as ponds and traditional deep wells, have caused water levels to drop dramatically. The situation has also reduced the surface of pasture available for grazing, leading to a significant number of livestock deaths. The surviving animals are in poor condition and are not able to produce milk, threatening people’s livelihoods. The health situation has also been deteriorating. Malaria is endemic. Meningitis, acute respiratory infections and diarrhea are common, especially among young children and pregnant women. The Ethiopian Red Cross Society, through the International Federation emergency short term assistance, will cover the provision of water and water storage materials both for the local population and livestock. Planned longer-term activities will focus on the maintenance of existing water points, rehabilitation of deep wells and the construction of surface water harvesting cisterns to improve availability of water to communities. The immediate response will also include the provision of health care services, the purchase of critical medical supplies, malaria prevention and promotion of immunization. The Ethiopian Red Cross Society has transported 10 water bladders and 3 000 jerry cans to affected areas and is actively involved in monitoring and assessing the current situation. The Ethiopian government is leading the overall emergency response through its Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency of which the Ethiopian Red Cross Society is an active member. Food insecurity in Ethiopia has left 2.6 million people in need of emergency assistance. The International Federation has already released 200,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund to help start the relief operations. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Jean-Luc Martinage, press officer, Tel: + 41 22 730 42 96/+41 79 217 33 86 Siân Bowen, Manager, Media Service, Tel: +41 22 730 4428/+ 41 79 217 33 88 Duty phone (Out of Hours) Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 183 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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