Government denies reports that drought has resulted in famine
ESAT News (January 14, 2016)
A considerable number of famine stricken people from north Wollo have migrated to Bahir Dar, a city in northern Ethiopia. According to ESAT’s stringer in the city, the people are begging on the streets of Bahir Dar for food.
They regional government did not provide any help to the victims who are mostly children and women. The people of Bahir Dar have been generous in helping the people who otherwise have no means to survive, according to ESAT’s stringer.
The Ethiopian government meanwhile denied reports by aid agencies that the drought has already caused famine in some areas. Speaking on Tuesday, commissioner for the national disaster management, Mitiku Kassa said reports by international organizations like the FAO that the situation has escalated to famine were “far from the reality” and were simply made to “raise funds in the name of famine.”
Save the Children on Thursday, on the other hand, called for more support from the international community to mitigate severe drought in Ethiopia.
The call was made by John Graham, Save the Children-Ethiopia Country Director who said the aid agency has identified over 60 worst affected districts in Ethiopia which need urgent support, according to a report by Star Africa.
According to the director, the aid agency has been working to raise funds amounting to $30 million to facilitate supply of food aid in the worst affected areas.
The country director called for international assistance following his visit to the drought affected areas in Ethiopia, the report said.