FAO scales up emergency drought response in Ethiopia
Joint Government of Ethiopia-UN mission calls for a coordinated approach in scaling up ongoing efforts
Addis Ababa – With funding support from the Government of Germany, and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (UN CERF), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has scaled up the emergency drought response in Ethiopia with an appeal for additional timely funding to prevent a major humanitarian catastrophe. FAO is implementing the programme in the drought-affected regions of Oromia, Somali, and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' (SNNP).
The Organization has prioritized the provision of animal feed, livestock health services, and cash transfers to pastoral and agro-pastoral communities affected by drought. FAO is also supporting livestock de-stocking, water trucking, the rehabilitation of water points, and the distribution of improved forage and crop seeds in advance of the upcoming seasonal rains.
Government of Ethiopia-UN monitoring mission calls for a coordinated approach in scaling up ongoing efforts.
During the distribution of supplementary animal feed in Gode Woreda, Somali region, on February 21, 2022, Fatouma Seid, the FAO Representative in Ethiopia, said, “We are racing against time to save livestock, and therefore livelihoods and the lives of the affected communities."
Ms. Seid participated in a high-level joint Government of Ethiopia- United Nations mission to drought-affected regions from 21 - 22 February 2022. The delegation comprised of Dr. Lia Tadesse, Minister, Ministry of Health; State Ministers, Ministry of Agriculture - H.E. Dr. Meles Mekonnen, and H.E. Dr. Fikru Regassa; Mr. Aschalew Abayneh Deputy Director-General of Ethiopian Public Health Institute; Dr. Boureima Sambo, the World Health Organization Representative to Ethiopia; and Gianfranco Rotigliano, the UNICEF Ethiopia Representative. The mission's objective was to monitor ongoing drought-response interventions.
Speaking to the affected communities and Regional authorities in the Oromia and Somali regions, the delegation underscored the need to take a more coordinated approach in scaling up ongoing efforts.
Severe drought conditions in southern and southeastern Ethiopia
Ethiopia's southern and southeastern parts are experiencing the third season of drought, driven by La Niña. The pastoral and agro-pastoral communities are experiencing acute water shortage, failed harvest, and deteriorating livestock body conditions, leading to reduced food stock and income. The lack of pasture and water has exposed animals to diseases due to low immunity, resulting in the low productivity of core breeding animals. There are increasing livestock diseases in the drought-affected regions, including sheep and goat pox; Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia; Anthrax; Black Leg; Foot and Mouth Disease; and Lumpy Skin disease. Moreover, drought-related animal deaths have been increasing. A December 2021 FAO assessment found that about 172 000 animals had died, and about two million were in poor health conditions. Crop production in agro-pastoral areas has also been severely affected. About six million people are facing acute food insecurity because of drought.
Wako Jarso, a pastoralist in Borena Zone, Oromia region, has lost 50 out of 74 cattle in the past few months.
"We urgently need food, animal feed, clean water, and medicine for our animals and for us to survive and thrive," he said.
Halima Mohammed, 60, a mother of 10 from Gode Woreda, the Somali region, has lost 260 goats and 430 cattle. "I need help to feed my remaining goats so they can provide milk for my children and sustain us," she said.
Timely funding is critical in saving livelihoods.
In January 2022, FAO launched a USD 130 million Rapid Response and Mitigation Plan for Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. The Plan details the activities that the affected countries should prioritize between January and June 2022. For Ethiopia, the agriculture sector requires USD 53 million to assist 2.2 million people. Of this, FAO Ethiopia is appealing for USD 32 million to support 1.3 million people. So far, FAO Ethiopia has received USD 8.3 million from the Government of Germany and USD 2.5 million from the UN CERF. Negotiations are ongoing with other donors.
"We need additional timely funding to respond to the scale of the problem and save the livelihoods of the affected communities," added Ms. Seid.
Contact
Rachel Nandelenga
Communications Consultant
FAO Ethiopia
@FAOEthiopia