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| International Federation takes swift action to help 40,000 Ethiopians facing starvation 16 May 2008 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching a preliminary emergency appeal for 1.8 million Swiss francs (US$1.7 million / € 1.1 million) to support the Ethiopian Red Cross Society in its response to a severe food security crisis affecting parts of Ethiopia. About 40,000 severely-affected people in the Wolaita, Sidama, Moyale and Bale areas will be supported over the next four months. The cumulated effects of poor rains during the last two seasons led to the deterioration in the physical condition of livestock, therefore resulting in lower livestock prices. This led to a reduction in income at a time when inflation is high (18 per cent last year) and when cereal prices increased by 22 per cent in 2006 and 20 per cent in 2007. The appeal is based on initial assessments done by the Ethiopian Red Cross and the International Federation carried out in the areas of Wolaita, Sidama (SNPP region), Moyale and Bale (Oromiya Region) in the south-eastern part of the country. “Thousands of people may face starvation in the coming months in the worst-case scenario but the situation is already critical for some 40,000 people who will receive emergency food assistance until the harvest in October increases food availability and access. Among these, about 14,000 particularly vulnerable people including young children and the elderly will receive additional food rations”, explains Kiflemariam Amdemariam, Federation food security coordinator for eastern Africa. The appeal will be revised as soon as full assessments are available, especially to cover health needs as well as water and sanitation services. The longer term needs will be addressed through the International Federation Africa Food Security Initiative which lays out a five-year plan covering 15 countries – including Ethiopia – aiming at developing food security programmes. Examples include sustainable farming (the use of appropriate technologies, seed banks and soil nutrient management), microfinance projects, small-scale irrigation schemes and the establishment of community-based food security monitoring systems. The Ethiopian Red Cross Society has also been operating an emergency drought preparedness intervention programme in other parts of the country (the Afar and East Harage areas). Since February, more than 65,000 people have been provided with more than 6 million litres of water as well as jerrycans, soap and water purification tablets. See the preliminary emergency appeal For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Nairobi: Andrei Engstrand-Neacsu, Eastern Africa Communications Manager, Tel: 254 733632946 In Geneva: Jean-Luc Martinage, Media Officer for Africa, Tel: 41 22 730 4296 / 41 79 217 3386 Duty phone Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 186 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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