- Ethiopia faces deteriorating food security, UN warns

Ethiopia faces deteriorating food security, UN warns

UN News Center - October 17, 2008

Drought-hit Ethiopians are facing a worsening food situation as the cost of maize soars nearly three-fold in some areas of the Horn of Africa country compared to last year, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cautioned today.

Migration by people from rural to urban areas in search of food is increasing, it noted, and aid agencies have identified critical malnutrition. A rapid assessment team said it found grave water and pasture shortages in some areas.

Due to reduced rations resulting from breaks in the pipeline have led to reduced rations, whose distribution began in July and will continue until December, OCHA said that it anticipates increased malnutrition and a rise in child labour and begging.

The Office also warned that without adequate October-December rains, food insecurity will continue will into next year. Read More.

Related News: People living in precarious balance (MSF - October 17, 2008)