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MILLIONS of pounds are still needed to help desperate families in Ethiopia’s food crisis, reports children’s charity Plan International.
The UN says the price of grain has shot up by more than 250 per cent in the country.
People already suffering in the aftermath of failed rains and poor harvests are now finding themselves unable to pay for vital provisions.
“We’re facing a funding shortfall for our work in Ethiopia of nearly £3 million,” says Dr Unni Krishnan, Plan’s Disaster Response Policy Coordinator.
“We’ve managed to raise more than £2 million for Ethiopia so far, but we have a long way to go if want to help those most affected by this crisis.”
Official figures state 4.5 million people in the country are in need of emergency food aid in the worst drought for decades.
Plan is concentrating on tackling high rates of malnutrition in children and mothers.
Teams are stepping up deliveries of protein rich supplies to thousands of kids and breastfeeding women across Southern Ethiopia.
“We are expanding our work into 4 new areas of the country, to help meet the demands of the food crisis,” says Dr Krishnan.
“As well as feeding programmes, other priorities include securing access to clean drinking water, training people in agricultural techniques and providing employment opportunities.”
“The task here is huge and Plan has flown in specialists to make sure that our relief efforts reach those who’re most vulnerable, including women and girls is key”
Plan is part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which has so far raised £50 million for its East Africa Appeal.
The 14 member agencies are delivering humanitarian aid to 12 million people across Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Plan is running an appeal for East Africa. For more information and to make a donation call 0800 526 848 or visit www.plan-uk.org
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Notes to editors
1) Plan is a global children’s charity. We work with children in the world’s poorest countries to help them build a better future. A future you would want for all children, your family and friends. For over 70 years we’ve been taking action and standing up for every child’s right to fulfill their potential by:
· giving children a healthy start in life, including access to safe drinking water
· securing the education of girls and boys
· working with communities to prepare for and survive disasters
· inspiring children to take a lead in decisions that affect their lives
· enabling families to earn a living and plan for their children’s future.
We do what’s needed, where it’s needed most. We do what you would do. With your support children, families and entire communities have the power to move themselves from a life of poverty to a future with opportunity.
2) Plan UK is a member of The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation for 14 leading humanitarian aid agencies.
3) We work with children in 48 of the world’s poorest countries to help them build a better future.
4) Plan was founded by British journalist John Langdon-Davies in 1937 to rescue orphans and other vulnerable children from the Spanish Civil War.
5) We have over 114,000 sponsors in the UK, generating £25 million a year, and 1.5 million sponsored children worldwide.
6) Sponsorship starts at £15-a-month and, rather than going to individual children and their families, funds projects to improve schooling, health, nutrition and livelihoods across communities.
