The Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) and partners declared that based on a series of humanitarian need assessment carried out in various parts of the country a total of 171,646 MT of humanitarian assistance is needed in 2008 to feed 2.18 million people. Of these 137,106 Mt is from the already available stock but 41,684 Mt, food grain, blended food and oil is required from local and international donors.

This was disclosed in an appeal session organized by the Agency on April 10, 2008 before noon at its Conference Hall.

According to the Humanitarian Requirements Document released by DPPA and Partners, the seasonal assessment carried out in Meher 2007 anticipated an improved food security in 2008.

Nevertheless, the failure of August rain called hagaya/deyr rains in most pastoral areas of Somali Region and Borena Zone in Oromia Region, as well as the following poor to very poor rain in Belg/Ganna resulted in extreme food shortage in the South and South Eastern pastoral and agro pastoral areas of the country.

The meteorological prediction also predicts a persistence of below average rainfall until May 2008. The low performance of rains is forecasted to affect the Belg crop producing areas of the country in the Northeastern highlands of Southern Tigray, Amhara, SNNPR Region. Bleg planting has been delayed in these areas which are anticipated to result in poor or failed Belg production in July/August. As a result of these unfavorable weather situations 2,181,467 people are anticipated to remain under food-aid.

Beneficiaries and Relief Food Requirement Estimate by Region
/DPPA and Partners/

The report further noted that the non-food emergency response, which includes Health and Nutrition, Water and Environmental Sanitation as well as agricultural intervention. The Health and Nutrition intervention requires net USD 25,544,723, Water and Sanitation with a net requirement gap of USD 3,401,354, and agriculture with a net requirement of USD 5,853,506 which sum up birr 67,737,459.

The multi-sectoral Early Warning Working Group (EWWG) as well as sectoral emergency taskforces will continue to monitor hazards across the country to ensure timely action for the remaining periods of the year 2008, the document stated. Other cross-cutting issues such as reducing the aggravation of HIV vulnerability, gender and child protection, education, psychosocial support are all envisaged in the relief activities.

The international community and local organizations of the civil society, private sector and others are called up on to respond to the crisis.