The food security situation in Ethiopia has deteriorated to alarming levels in the wake of drought conditions throughout the country, the United Nations said in a statement Monday.
Some 4.6 million people in Ethiopia are in need of food aid due to a combination of drought and high food prices, according to the statement issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Relief agencies are grappling with shortages of supplies, it added.
UN humanitarian chief John Holmes, who just returned from a visit to Ethiopia, told reporters last week that it was clear that "the crisis remains very severe, and the numbers of people affected are continuing to rise."
Successive droughts have resulted in reduction of crop yield that in turn has led to a surge in food prices over the past year. The country's southeastern area has been particularly hard hit.
"Ethiopia presents a glaring example of the challenges posed by rising food prices," said Holmes, who is also UN Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Although a 325-million-U.S.-dollar humanitarian appeal launched for Ethiopia in June has been "reasonably well funded" at over 60 percent, Holmes urged donors to contribute more for the next few months to help alleviate the situation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Ethiopia's Ministry of Health have provided emergency drugs and medical supplies for 10,000 people in the region for one month.
Other immediate needs include shelter, food, water, water treatment chemicals, insecticide treated nets, sanitation facilities and health services.
Source:Xinhua
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