Ethiopia is Facing a Humanitarian Crisis due to El Niño

El Niño, the global climactic event has wreaked havoc on Ethiopia’s rain patterns. This has led to food insecurity and the country is already experiencing its worst drought in decades.

Analysts estimate that 8.2 million Ethiopians out of a population of nearly 100 million need food aid.

Most of those affected by drought live in rural areas and are heavily dependent on agriculture and livestock.

“The World Food Programme is saying today that humanitarian needs in Ethiopia have tripled since the beginning of 2015 – as severe drought in some regions, exacerbated by the strongest El Nino in decades, caused successive harvest failures and widespread livestock deaths. Out of 10 million people now requiring urgent humanitarian assistance, the World Food Programme is expected to support the government in meeting the needs of 7.6 million people in 2016. Yet so far, less than 5 percent of the resources required for the first six months of the year are available.” Stephan Dujaric the Spokesperson for the UN secretary-general said during a press briefing.

On the other hand, the government of Ethiopia recently unveiled an emergency plan to respond to the immediate needs of those most affected.

So far, the international community has pledged $300 million but an estimated $1.4 billion is needed for emergency food, clean water,and nutrition to help save the lives of the most vulnerable.

Humanitarian #food #water needed Oxfam #drought victims #Ethiopia #Malawi #Haiti #PapuaNewGuinea https://t.co/bsMzwasjw2 via ClimateHome

— Sara Laughter (@GreenAwakening) December 30, 2015

Experts predict that low rainfall linked to El Nino is expected to lead to more months of drought in parts of Africa, particularly in East Africa and the Horn of Africa

The ocean-warming phenomenon causes extremes such as scorching weather in some regions of the globe and heavy rains and flooding in others.