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UN in Ethiopia drought figure row UN 'exaggerated' Ethiopia drought
(2 days later)
A fresh row has erupted over the number of children affected by the current drought in Ethiopia.A fresh row has erupted over the number of children affected by the current drought in Ethiopia.
In a BBC interview, Ethiopia's health minister labelled claims by the UN children's fund that 6m children need urgent help as a "fabrication".In a BBC interview, Ethiopia's health minister labelled claims by the UN children's fund that 6m children need urgent help as a "fabrication".
There is no doubt about the severity of the current Ethiopian drought. A joint appeal this week by the UN and Ethiopia put the total number affected at 4.5m.There is no doubt about the severity of the current Ethiopian drought. A joint appeal this week by the UN and Ethiopia put the total number affected at 4.5m.
Unicef's Ethiopia head Bjorn Ljundqvist denies causing confusion.Unicef's Ethiopia head Bjorn Ljundqvist denies causing confusion.
A press release issued late last month by the UN's children's fund said: "An estimated 120,000 children are in need of urgent therapeutic care for severe malnutrition.A press release issued late last month by the UN's children's fund said: "An estimated 120,000 children are in need of urgent therapeutic care for severe malnutrition.
"Unicef Ethiopia today cautioned that up to 6m children under five years of age are living in impoverished, drought-prone districts and require urgent preventative health and nutrition intervention.""Unicef Ethiopia today cautioned that up to 6m children under five years of age are living in impoverished, drought-prone districts and require urgent preventative health and nutrition intervention."
'Completely exaggerated''Completely exaggerated'
The international media took that to mean that 6m children were threatened by drought.The international media took that to mean that 6m children were threatened by drought.
The government accepts that tens of thousands of children are so malnourished they could die, without immediate attention.The government accepts that tens of thousands of children are so malnourished they could die, without immediate attention.
But Health Minister Dr Tedros Adhanom told the BBC: "The 6m children issue is completely exaggerated and actually a fabrication. Six million children are not affected."But Health Minister Dr Tedros Adhanom told the BBC: "The 6m children issue is completely exaggerated and actually a fabrication. Six million children are not affected."
Clearly the wording used by Unicef clouded the issues and has left a bitter rift between the UN and the Ethiopian government.Clearly the wording used by Unicef clouded the issues and has left a bitter rift between the UN and the Ethiopian government.
Unicef, however, says the issue has now been resolved.