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Ethiopia

Oxfam reaction to Ethiopian government announcement on drought

In response to the Ethiopian government’s announcement that 10.2 million people need humanitarian assistance (in addition to 7.9 million who are already set to receive aid) and the country requires funding of $1.4bn, Jane Cocking, Oxfam’s Humanitarian Director said:

“As the Ethiopian government has made clear, this is a serious drought and we expect the situation to get worse between January and March.

“It’s vital the international community commits funding now to stop this food crisis becoming a full-blown disaster.

“Oxfam is contributing to the response, led by the government, by getting clean water to people in drought-stricken areas, and by helping them to manage their livestock.

"Our aim is to reach more than 750,000 people but we need an urgent increase in funds if we are to achieve this.”

Sarah Grainger

Senior Press Officer

Oxfam GB

+44 (0)1865 472089

+44 (0)7810 181514