Gov't Providing Relief, Collaborating with Partners to Raise 715 Million USD
Addis Ababa February 9,2017 National Disaster Risk Management Commission disclosed that the government has allocated 47 million USD to mitigate drought in pastoral areas.
Severe drought has hit citizens in 9 zones of Somali Regional State, West Gujji, Borena, lowlands of Bale, South Omo and Segen this year.
Recalling that 10.2 million citizens needed assistance last year, the commission said the total number of compatriots that need relief support has declined to 5.6 million.
National Disaster Risk Management Commission Public Relations Director, Debebe Zewede told ENA that the number of drought affected population has decreased by 44% in the current year.
Based on the experience of the previous year, the government is distributing cereals, nutritious and edible oil purchased with 47 million birr, and has been working actively in collaboration with partners to raise the 715 million USD required.
He further said livestock in the affected areas are being provided with fodder while some of them are being destocked.
Taking into consideration the imminent severity of the drought enough fodder is being distributed to calves and heifers in the drought affected areas, the director stated.
According to him, the number of beneficiaries could decline slightly if the _
belg_ rains start in March.