DATE=1/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / ERITREA, ETHIOPIA DROUGHT (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258484
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations says millions of people in
Ethiopia and Eritrea are going hungry and are in
desperate need of food. Lisa Schlein in Geneva
reports the United Nations says immediate
international assistance is needed to avert a major
humanitarian emergency.
TEXT: The United Nations says more than eight-million
people in Ethiopia are suffering ill effects from
drought, among them are an estimated 400-thousand
displaced people. These people lost their homes
during the border war, which erupted between Ethiopia
and Eritrea nearly two-years ago.
U-N officials say pockets of Ethiopia, mainly in the
eastern part of the country, are in the midst of a
terrible food shortage. This is the result of a lack
of rain and the near total failure of the 1999 short
harvest season. Crops from this harvest account for
about 15-percent of the annual food production.
The U-N Senior Humanitarian Officer in the region,
Teferra Shiawl, says the drought is beginning to take
a terrible toll.
/// SHIAWL ACT ///
When you see mothers losing their children.
When you see elderly struggling to survive in a
region, which has been not so blessed
by...nature, you can imagine what anguish it
creates among the people.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Shiawl says the most seriously affected are
children, many of whom are malnourished. He says the
elderly and women are also suffering badly from lack
of nutrition.
The United Nations says it needs about 99-million-
dollars to provide humanitarian assistance to the
drought-affected population throughout the year. The
greatest needs include food, water and sanitation,
health care, and agriculture support.
Mr. Shiawl says 200-thousand people in Eritrea will
need similar assistance.
In addition, he says more than 300-thousand Eritreans
displaced by the war are in need. No fighting has
been reported for the past six-months, but Mr. Shiawl
says tension remains very high, preventing displaced
people from returning to their homes.
/// 2ND SHIAWL ACT ///
I am between hope and despair. But, more on the
hope side because the ceaseless efforts by the
Organization of African Unity and its current
chairman, the willingness on both sides to come
to an agreement because basically both sides
seem to be bent on opting for the peace process.
/// END ACT ///
The Eritrean Government is providing food, shelter,
health care, and water for the displaced people. The
United Nations says these life-saving activities have
prevented a catastrophe. But, it says national stocks
are depleted and humanitarian need continues.
(SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE/RAE
27-Jan-2000 09:26 AM EDT (27-Jan-2000 1426 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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