A lack of funds has forced the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to cut by more than half the number of districts in drought-hit Ethiopia it serves, the food agency said on Monday and appealed for $76,4-million in aid.
WFP said shortages would prevent it from providing food supplements to malnourished mothers and children.
”Due to a funding shortfall, WFP has less food in its warehouses and as of the end of last month, it was forced to cut back food assistance operations … from 342 districts to 163 districts,” WFP said in a statement.
”Despite evidence of malnourishment in some drought-affected areas, a food deficit will prevent the agency from providing nutritious, life-saving food supplements to acutely malnourished children and mothers.”
WFP said it needed $76,4-million to feed mothers and children under five and to support the government’s emergency relief programme.
WFP said that in 2007 it provided supplementary food to over 1,1-million Ethiopians.
A United States-based early warning system, Fewsnet, had said that up to nine million Ethiopians may need food assistance due to drought in 2008. – Reuters