Addis Ababa, August 12, 2016 (WIC) – The impact of the El Nino-caused drought which occurred in last year some parts of the country has been decreasing, said the National Disaster Risk Management Commission.
The rehabilitation activities carried out in the past months allowed those who were in need of food aid to become self sufficient, said Mitiku Kassa, Commissioner of the National Disaster Risk Management Commission.
Farmers in the drought hit areas were able to start harvesting by developing early-maturing crops, he said, citing the 1.2 million quintals of grain harvested during the past three months in Amhara Regional State as a case in point.
Based on the Commission’s assessment, the number of people needing food aid, which currently stands at 10.2 million, could decrease, he said.
However, the government is still providing food aid to the people through 1,900 distribution points, the Commissioner said
The country has now over 451,000 metric tonnes of grain stock to be used for drought affected citizens. It is also purchasing 499, 536 metric tonnes and will arrive at port within 15 days, he said.
The government of Ethiopia has so far committed over 16 billion birr to help people affected by its worst drought in 50 years.