News & Resources
News
September 1999
Second Canadian Contribution to WFP For Drought Assistance
ADDIS ABABA - The United Nations World Food Programme announced today a second Canadian Government contribution of 1,500 metric tonnes of relief food valued at more than $556,047 for those affected by the drought in Ethiopia. The Canadian Government was the first to contribute to the WFP emergency appeal launched on 1 June.
His Excellency Ambassador Schram said, "The second contribution from my government highlights a continued commitment to the hungry poor in Ethiopia. Canada is pleased to be WFP's partner in this critical effort." He added, "This is a further indication of our confidence that DPPC and WFP will provide relief food to the most needy in a timely manner."
"The Canadian Government's contribution couldn't come at a better time. We're receiving reports from our monitors of how difficult the situation has become, particularly in some areas. There are pockets where the rains, which started late anyway, have been very insignificant. Therefore, relief aid remains critical for this vulnerable population," said Ms. Judith Lewis, WFP Country Representative for Ethiopia.
The WFP emergency operation assists 1.5 million people who have been effected by the drought. The late rains of the current meher season have added to the hardship of many in already food insecure areas. The food aid is targeted to the most vulnerable segment of the population, women, children and the elderly. A total of 103,253 metric tonnes of food aid is being resourced which consists of cereals, pulses and supplementary food.
August 1999
Japan Donates US$500,000 to WFP for the Internally Displaced Ethiopians
Addis Ababa - The United Nations World Food Programme welcomes a US$500,000 donation by the Government of Japan for the 272,000 internally displaced Ethiopians being assisted by WFP.
The pledge will be used by WFP to purchase food commodities for distribution to IDPs in the Tigray region.
WFP's Deputy Country Director in Ethiopia, Justin Bagirishya, said, "This support from the Japanese Government could not have come at a bettter time as current resources are almost completely distributed and it is imperative that immediate purchases are made to ensure that the internally displaced continue to receive assistance."
The Japanese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Takehisa Nogami stated "Most of the internally displaced due to the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict are women, children and the aged citizens, faced with the danger of starvation and malnutrition, and are in need of emergency food assistance. This contributions comes in response to an appeal made by WFP to the international community and is extended from a humanitarian point of view."
In March 1999, WFP approved an emergency operation to assist 272,000 people displaced by the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict over a nine month period. WFP is aiming to provide some 45,000 mt of various food commodities. Tp date, WFP has received pledges of 10,000 mt cereals, 1,890 mt supplementary food and 1,660 mt oil from the USA for the emergency operation, while a cash pledge of US $1,000,000 was also received from the Netherlands Governments.
July 1999
WFP Welcomes Spanish Donation For Victims of the Drought
Addis Ababa - The United Nations World Food Programme today welcomed the announcement by the government of Spain for their donation of over $350,000 to WFP's emergency operation to assist victims of drought in Ethiopia.
The Spanish Ambassador, Mr. Pablo Zaldivar, stated "With this contribution Spain gives, once again, proof of solidarity and commitment with Ethiopia and her people. In the framework of the Spanish Development Cooperation with Ethiopia, the Government of Spain has reacted promptly and efficiently to the request made by the Ethiopian authorities, through WFP, to mitigate the consequences of the current food crisis."
WFP extends its gratitude to the government of Spain for the donation of over $350,000. The cash donation will be used to purchase much needed supplementary foods.
"Although we remain concerned about the resourcing situation for the emergency operation, we are much encouraged by the recent major efforts by the donor community to help address critical food shortages in the country", added Justin Bagirishya, WFP Deputy Country Director for Ethiopia.
On 1 June, WFP approved an emergency operation to provide US$40.5 million of food assistance to 1.2 million Ethiopians suffering due to the lack of rains throughout much of the country. Donations are urgently needed in order to avert a humanitarian crisis.
WFP's emergency operation, running from June to December, will provide some 103,254 tonnes of emergency food aid to the most vulnerable sectors of the population, with special attention given to pregnant and nursing mothers, children under five, the disabled and the elderly.
July 1999
Netherlands Donate US$1million to WFP to Aid Internally Displaced Ethiopians
Addis Ababa - The United Nations World Food Programme today welcomed a US$1 million cash donation by the Netherlands Government for the 272,000 internally displaced Ethiopians being assisted by WFP.
This latest pledge will be used by WFP to purchase food commodities for distribution to IDPs in the Tigray region.
WFP's Deputy Country Director in Ethiopia, Justin Bagirishya, said, "This cash donation gives us the much-needed flexibility to buy food commodities - such as special foods for malnourished children -- not yet received in sufficient quantities through other channels."
Netherlands Ambassador, Mr. Pieter Marres, said "The Netherlands is pleased to assist in the humanitarian effort to alleviate the plight of those severlely affected by the food crisis in Ethiopia."
In March 1999, WFP approved an emergency operation to assist 272,000 people displaced by the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict. WFP is aiming to provide some 45,000 tons of various food commodities. WFP is still over 60 per cent underfunded for this operation.
