Drought and rising food prices have resulted in a critical situation in several regions of Ethiopia. Last week, the UN warned of widespread food shortages as a result of serious drought and rising food prices. According to the UN, more than three million Ethiopians are in acute need of assistance, and the number of people suffering from malnutriation is increasing.
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“Even though there has now been some rainfall, important crops have already been lost. The grazing will improve gradually, but it will take time before new crops can be harvested. Our aim is to mitigate the consequences of the humanitarian crisis now affecting people in Ethiopia,” said Mr Johansen.
This allocation is additional to the Birr 20 million Norway provided earlier this year in response to the drought. Moreover, Norway has contributed about Birr 20 million in humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) this year, bringing Norway’s humanitarian contributions so far this year to Ethiopia to Birr 90 million.
“The Government is now allocating Birr 50 million in humanitarian assistance for people affected by the drought in Ethiopia. The funding is being channelled through our partners in the UN, the Red Cross and other NGOs that are already working in the country, and that are familiar with its needs,” said Raymond Johansen, State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.