Ethiopia: Over 10 million will need food aid in January

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The Ethiopian government says more than 10 million people including nearly 6 million children will need emergency food by January because of drought.

Mitiku Kassa, head of Ethiopia’s disaster relief operation, said Monday that the government is currently distributing its own emergency food aid because pledges made by donors have not yet been delivered. He said there hasn’t been loss of life due to the drought so far.

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Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen estimated that the drought will continue well into 2016 and cited lack of transportation and food supplies as major obstacles.

John Graham, Save the Children’s Country Director in Ethiopia, said in a statement that Ethiopia is experiencing its worst drought in 50 years and $1.4 billion in aid is needed to adequately respond to the emergency.