UN Chief calls for aid to support Ethiopia’s drought victims

ESAT News (January 30, 2017)

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to come to the aid of close to 6 million people who need immediate food assistance.

The UN chief made the remark in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa as he met and discussed with Ethiopian officials on the drought situation in Ethiopia that is affecting over 10 million people.

Antonio Guterres called for support in fighting the drought that is severely affecting three areas in Ethiopia: parts of Oromo, Somali and Southern Ethiopian regions.

“We need to act now before it is too late,” said  Stephen O’Brien, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs who paid a visit to some of the drought affected regions in eastern Ethiopia.

Ethiopia seeks $948 million to assist 5.6 million people, whose lives, livelihoods and well-being depend on support from relief partners, according to humanitarian sources.