British aid battles starvation in Ethiopia

03 July 2011

Britain will provide emergency food relief for 1.3 million people in Ethiopia as the region faces its worst drought in a decade, Andrew Mitchell said today.

The International Development Secretary warned that the rest of the international community will need to pull its weight if a full-scale disaster is to be avoided.

Britain will fund the World Food Programme to provide emergency food for drought-stricken Ethiopians for the next three months to help them through the driest months of the year.

Supplementary food will also be provided for 329,000 malnourished children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Britian is working with international agencies and NGOs on the ground across the Horn of Africa region to assess the humanitarian need and ensure that lifesaving help reaches those most in need and prevents the wholesale destruction of their livestock.

The British Government is supporting 8 million people with food, livestock and basic support through the Productive Safety Net Programme. However the current crisis underlines the need for immediate additional help.

Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development, said:

"Through no fault of its own, the Horn of Africa is experiencing a severe drought caused by the failed rains. Britain is acting quickly and decisively in Ethiopia to stop this crisis becoming a catastrophe. We will provide vital food to help 1.3 million people through the next three months.

"This situation needs an international response and Britain is calling on the international community to provide the fast, effective relief that Ethiopia needs now in this difficult time.

"And for the response to be effective, we need the most up-to-date, accurate information on the level of need in Ethiopia. The country has made great strides in many areas over the past 30 years and this emergency relief will help to ensure that these gains are not eroded." 

Andrew Mitchell encouraged the Government of Ethiopia to release as soon as possible revised figures for the number of people facing severe hunger, particularly in Ethiopia’s southern regions, where the number of people receiving emergency assistance remains below needs.