Concern says Ethiopian millennium sidelines food crisis

Reuters - October 3, 2008

Ethiopia has downplayed a worsening food crisis to avoid tarnishing the country's image as it celebrates its millennium, an international aid agency said on Friday.

The United Nations appealed last week for $460 million to feed an estimated 8 million people hit by drought and high food prices.

Concern Worldwide's country director Aine Fay said the Ethiopian government had been in denial about the emergency in a year in which it wanted to attract investment.

Ethiopia, which squeezes 13 months into each year, entered the 21st century on Sept. 12, 2007.

Fay also blamed aid groups for not acting fast enough, even when they knew the rains had failed and cattle were getting thin. Read More.