study shows situation ‘critical’ as ethiopians near the edge of hunger
NAIROBI (October 10, 2002) - The failure of the short belg rains, coupled with the late onset of the long meher rains, are pushing as many as 10.2 million Ethiopians to the edge of hunger. A multi-agency nutrition study, released yesterday, classified many midland and lowland parts of West Hararghe, Ethiopia, as "critical," with 15.1 percent of children under 5 suffering from global acute and severe acute (3.6 percent) malnutrition.
"The situation is deteriorating quickly and extensively," says Marcy Vigoda, CARE director in Ethiopia. "This is not only a food emergency but a water, health, agriculture and livestock emergency. Unfortunately, many preventable deaths will be unavoidable if we don't receive adequate international support to carry out a large-scale response. With support, we can prevent a potential crisis."
According to CARE assessment teams, maize and sorghum crops that should be shoulder-height are just inches off the ground. Crop loss is as high as 90 percent in lowland areas and children are showing signs of severe malnutrition (distended bellies/swollen extremities). The lack of water has led to hygiene-related diseases such as scabies and conjunctivitis. Herders are migrating in search of fodder and water for their cattle. Prices of staple foods have increased as much as 200 percent in some markets, and plummeting coffee prices have impacted producers in Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee.
Few people outside east Africa are aware of the crisis, as it coincides with the situation in southern Africa, where nearly 15 million people in six countries need food.
CARE is working in some of the most affected parts of Ethiopia. In West Hararghe, an estimated two-thirds of the population needs food. CARE has been distributing food to more than 100,000 people and is currently seeking resources to reach more than 600,000 people in need. In the pastoral area of Afar, CARE is distributing animal fodder to help 5,430 families protect the health of their breeding stock; providing veterinary medicines for 17,000 animals; and rehabilitating drinking water sources.
CARE began working in Ethiopia in 1984 in response to a famine. Today, with an in-country staff of more than 300 people, CARE works with more than 1.3 million Ethiopians to implement projects in agriculture, water and sanitation, nutrition, health and education.
About CARE: CARE is one of the world's leading humanitarian organizations fighting global poverty. CARE helps communities improve their quality of life through projects in agriculture and natural resources, economic development, education, food, health, water and sanitation and emergency response.
Media Contacts:
Atlanta: Allen Clinton, CARE USA, clinton@care.org, 404.979.9206
Addis Ababa: Marcy Vigoda, vigoda@care.org, +251 1 463 422
Nairobi: Jon Mitchell, mitchell@care.org, +254 2 717 367
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