GENEVA (AFP) – Some 4.9 million more Ethiopians are in {www:urgent} need of food aid, the U.N. said Tuesday, bringing the total number of people in Ethiopia who need relief aid to 12 million, or 15% of the population.
“In addition to the 7 million that continue to be assisted, 4.9 million people need {www:emergency} food assistance,” said Elizabeth Byrs, a spokeswoman for the U.N. Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The latest figure is based on an assessment conducted by U.N. agencies in November and December, which concluded that some $454.3 million was needed to fund aid in Ethiopia during the first half of 2009.
Poor rainfall and harvests are hurting many in the east of the country, said Byrs.
“Concerns are high over continuing food insecurity, in the coming months, in parts of the country,” she said.
Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous {www:country}, with around 80 million inhabitants, and has been badly affected by droughts, civil conflict and rising food prices.
Despite the tough conditions, the country is hosting increasing numbers of asylum seekers crossing over from Somalia into eastern Ethiopia’s Somali Region.
Byrs said that about 10,000 asylum seekers had arrived this year and 150 more people were crossing the border daily.
“In Somali Region, malnutrition and food insecurity will likely exacerbate during the coming dry season from January to mid-April,” she said.
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A clarification on the statement issued on the situation in Ethiopia during the UN press briefing in Geneva, 17 Feb 2009
Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date: 20 Feb 2009
1. The Government of Ethiopia and Humanitarian Partners are concerned about the information incorrectly reported by the media that “15% of the Ethiopian population now need emergency food aid.”. This has created an impression that emergency assistance is required for more than 4.9 million beneficiaries. The 15 percent calculation is not part of the joint assessment document outlining humanitarian requirements for 2009.
2. In fact, the latest Humanitarian Requirement document issued on 30th January 2009 clearly states that emergency assistance is required for only 4.9 million beneficiaries.
3. The UN is concerned about this misinformation, and hopes that the record can be set straight.
4. It should also be noted that the assessment undertaken in November/December 2008 and on which the Humanitarian Requirement Document is based, is a joint assessment between the Government of Ethiopia and the Humanitarian partners.