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Ethiopia to seek urgent food aid Ethiopia asks for urgent food aid
(about 1 hour later)
The Ethiopian government is expected to confirm later that it needs emergency food aid for 6.2 million people. The Ethiopian government has asked the international community for emergency food aid for 6.2 million people.
This is because of the effects of prolonged drought and erratic rains on crops and grazing for livestock. The request came at a meeting of donors to discuss the impact of a prolonged drought affecting parts of East Africa.
The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) is already facing a shortfall of more than $85m (£50m) worth of food for Ethiopia to the end of this year.The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) is already facing a shortfall of more than $85m (£50m) worth of food for Ethiopia to the end of this year.
Aid agency Oxfam has called for a new approach to tackling the risk of disaster in the country.Aid agency Oxfam has called for a new approach to tackling the risk of disaster in the country.
In a report marking 25 years since the famine that killed around one million Ethiopians, Oxfam said that imported food aid saves lives in the short term but does little to help communities withstand the next shock.In a report marking 25 years since the famine that killed around one million Ethiopians, Oxfam said that imported food aid saves lives in the short term but does little to help communities withstand the next shock.
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Ethiopia is suffering from the impact of prolonged drought and erratic rains.Ethiopia is suffering from the impact of prolonged drought and erratic rains.
The report, named Band Aids and Beyond, called on international donors to adopt a new approach focused on preparing communities to prevent and deal with disasters before they strike.The report, named Band Aids and Beyond, called on international donors to adopt a new approach focused on preparing communities to prevent and deal with disasters before they strike.
"Drought does not need to mean hunger and destitution," said Penny Lawrence, Oxfam's international director, who has just returned from Ethiopia."Drought does not need to mean hunger and destitution," said Penny Lawrence, Oxfam's international director, who has just returned from Ethiopia.
"If communities have irrigation for crops, grain stores, and wells to harvest rains then they can survive despite what the elements throw at them.""If communities have irrigation for crops, grain stores, and wells to harvest rains then they can survive despite what the elements throw at them."
'Total wipe-out''Total wipe-out'
Ethiopia has been hit by the food crisis affecting a large part of East Africa and the Horn.Ethiopia has been hit by the food crisis affecting a large part of East Africa and the Horn.
ETHIOPIA'S DROUGHT Costs $1.1bn a year70% of aid from US10 million people affected4.6 million threatened by hunger and malnutrition38% of under-fives under weight 1985: Live Aid makes millions Famine stalks Ethiopia once againETHIOPIA'S DROUGHT Costs $1.1bn a year70% of aid from US10 million people affected4.6 million threatened by hunger and malnutrition38% of under-fives under weight 1985: Live Aid makes millions Famine stalks Ethiopia once again
Last month Oxfam launched a $15m (£9.5m) emergency appeal for the whole East African region, where it is suggested that 23 million people in seven countries are under threat.Last month Oxfam launched a $15m (£9.5m) emergency appeal for the whole East African region, where it is suggested that 23 million people in seven countries are under threat.
The WFP, which is also calling for aid to the region, says cuts in its funding have made it more difficult to feed people.The WFP, which is also calling for aid to the region, says cuts in its funding have made it more difficult to feed people.
It says it is particularly concerned about Eritrea, where it is unable to collect data because of restrictions on movement.It says it is particularly concerned about Eritrea, where it is unable to collect data because of restrictions on movement.
The drought, brought on by four years of bad harvests, has been made worse by conflict, climate change and population growth.The drought, brought on by four years of bad harvests, has been made worse by conflict, climate change and population growth.
Fields of maize, burnt and withered by the sun, are the evidence of an emerging crisis, says the BBC's Mike Wooldridge in the Ethiopian town of Mekele.Fields of maize, burnt and withered by the sun, are the evidence of an emerging crisis, says the BBC's Mike Wooldridge in the Ethiopian town of Mekele.
In both the hardest-hit south of Ethiopia and in places in the north, farmers have told the BBC they face a total wipe-out of their harvests.In both the hardest-hit south of Ethiopia and in places in the north, farmers have told the BBC they face a total wipe-out of their harvests.
Some said they planned to sell their livestock, so damaging their livelihoods further.Some said they planned to sell their livestock, so damaging their livelihoods further.
There are more than 10 million people affected by drought in Ethiopia, according to the WFP, with 4.6 million threatened by hunger or malnutrition. These numbers could rise further.There are more than 10 million people affected by drought in Ethiopia, according to the WFP, with 4.6 million threatened by hunger or malnutrition. These numbers could rise further.
The problem is compounded by high food costs, the WFP adds, with cereal prices doubling on many markets.The problem is compounded by high food costs, the WFP adds, with cereal prices doubling on many markets.