Addis Ababa, 23 November 2015(WIC) – Food aid is being distributed to the drought affected areas of the east Hararghe zone, the Zone Disaster and Preparedness Commission said.
Head of the Commission, Haron Aliye, told WIC that aid is distributed to more than 400 thousand people in need of support due to the drought.
Taking the number of people in every household in to account, 15 kilograms of food and 45 liters of cooking oil is given per head, he noted.
Specifically in Madagalato and kurfa chele woredas, food aid is being distributed to about 82 thousand people, he said.
Sherif Yusuf and Beya Amet, dwellers of Kurfa chele woreda, said they have witnessed the food aid being delivered to those in need in the area. The drought has not so far affected the education process in the area, they said.
Administration Head of the Zone, Demisse Yachiso, on his part said there no human life lost so far due to the drought.
In order to withstand the temporary water shortage in the area, the zone has supplied 17 water carrier vehicles to 8 woredas. lack rain during the last summer season in the area is expected to increase the number of people in need of food aid in the coming months, he added.
Meanwhile, food aid is supplied to people in West Hararghe Zone to more than 43 thousand people, Administration Head of the Zone said.
Mohammed Kemal told journalists that the number of people in need of food aid has increased to more than 97 thousand due to lack rain during the last rainy season.
The leadership, public servants and members of the business community have contributed 2.3 million birr and bought 485 quintals of food as a reserve, he said. A task force is established to detect people in need of aid and timely supply it, he added.
About 6200 children and lactating mothers are receiving nutritious food, he noted. Animal fodder is being distributed to more than 172 animals, he noted.
Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission head of Meiso Woreda, Yohannes Getachew, said education materials are supplied to students to prevent possible disruption due to the drought. The woreda has taken legal measures on those who tried to embezzle the food aid, he noted.