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Ethiopia's Ravaging Drought and Need for Urgent International Assistance |
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The effects of climate change in Africa are so glaring that the continent offers the best examples of the extremes of climate change effects in the world. One of such is the El Nino condition which has become more popular in the last few months and has affected Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa, in devastating ways. Since last year, it has been in the news that some parts of the country are suffering their worst drought in 30 years and there are currently no signs of things getting better. According to AllAfrica, "a series of failed rainy seasons triggered by the El Nino weather system has devastated food production and livelihoods across vast swathes of the country, causing food crops to fail, livestock to perish, and severe water shortages leaving 5.8 million people in need of urgent access to drinking water". "In many drought-affected areas, dried up wells, springs and rivers have led to a sharp increase in chronic skin conditions such as scabies, with ever-worsening dehydration weakening people's health and leaving them vulnerable to communicable diseases". 10.2 million people, of which 6 million are children, are affected and require emergency food assistance. 400,000 children are feared to have slid into malnutrition and require very urgent supplementary food assistance while an additional 1.7 million children and lactating mothers suffer moderate acute malnutrition. $1.4 billion is needed to stem this impending scourge but even half of that has not yet been mustered. The Ethiopian government has led efforts in this front spending about $381 million already. The UN Secretary general has called on the international Community to answer this call for urgent humanitarian intervention in the drought-affected parts of Ethiopia within three weeks to avoid catastrophic escalation when the 'hungry season' sets in April with its peak in August. The last drought in Ethiopia was deadly. Ethiopia is not the only African country suffering the drought, Somalia and Eritrea are also affected. The biggest challenge now is to provide access to drinking water and food to the affected population before it is too late. Climate change is ravaging Africa and unfortunately, there's no climate justice yet. Let's step-up efforts in any way we can to help the people and government of Ethiopia during this difficult time. Source: allafrica Photo By: UNICEF |
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9 Comments
Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers for the drought victims in Ethiopia, we hope immediate actions are taken to stem the growing tide of the drought.
Posted 15-02-2016 00:02
Hello Daniella,
Thanks for your comment. Like I wrote in my report, the Ethiopian government has already spent $381 million dollars of her own funds with the situation requiring $1.4 billion. If the Ethiopian government channels all of its funds to the humanitarian emergency, it may lack the financial capacity to effectively make progress in other sectors this year. It is not the entire country that is affected, it is some parts of Ethiopia.
Again, it is hard to stop the El nino condition now but we can do it collectively if we begin now to take good care of our planet. Reduce emissions and bush burning, digging irrigation canals, planting seeds, use of recyclable water, transvasement amongst others could be possible solutions and all require huge funding.
Also, just like Nelly suggested, partnering universities for solution will do a world of good like it did for Mexico.
Posted 15-02-2016 00:00
So sorry to read that Ethiopia is going through such tough times. Let's pray that it gets rains soon so that further damage is prevented. Your government should contact UN and ask for the relief funds and resources. I hope international humanitarian organisations start providing some help. Take care.
Posted 14-02-2016 03:52
The effects of climate change in Africa are many and even in North Africa we suffer from dry seasons and changing weather. we need to act and save mamma Africa :)
Posted 14-02-2016 03:31
Sorry to hear about the current situation. There will be many more droughts in the future due to climate change, if nothing is done to stop this. I really hope the government is able to take effective initiatives which might also include partnering with a neighboring country in order to tackle as well as minimize the damages of the drought.
Posted 14-02-2016 02:59
I am quite surprised Ethiopia is going through hard times. It's one of the countries in Africa I will love to visit. Drought is a negative result of climate change and there is a need for the government to focus on Agriculture even if it means getting loans from outside. Nice article brother!
Posted 14-02-2016 01:47
Dear Udeh, this is very sad to hear. Yet, what has helped very much in my country, Mexico several times is to partner with universities to find innovative solutions or to create fundraising events to help some communities. I hope these ideas might help in any way possible!
Posted 13-02-2016 18:59
So sad to learn this grim news Udeh. Drinking water & food are the major necessities. I hope & pray for the well being of Ethiopia. God Bless.
Posted 13-02-2016 18:35
Hi! I've read your post and I would like to ask, what actions has the Ethiopian government done exactly? What concrete action plan would you suggest to lessen the effects of El Niño and/or to prevent extreme cases of it. Thank you in advance!
Posted 13-02-2016 17:55