No food supply shortage for drought affected people: Commissioner

Addis Ababa, January 4, 2016 (FBC) – The National Disaster Risk Management Commissioner, Mitiku Kassa, said there is enough supply of food for people in need of food aid due to the El Nino induced drought.
Speaking at FBC’s discussion and debate program /Mogach in Amharic/, he said, despite an increase in number of needy people, the government is giving a rapid response for the problem.

The government purchased more 22,000 metric tons of grains earlier and 50 percent of it arrived at home, he said.

When asked if there is supply shortage, the Commissioner said there is no shortage of food supply. Yesterday alone, 170 vehicles each with 400 quintals lifting capacity arrived in Adama town from port carrying food, he said.

Problems faced in some areas regarding distribution of food are now addressed, Mitiku said.

According to him, each individual is being provided with 15kg of grain, 1.5 kg of pulses and half a liter of cooking oil, he said.

Food supply is going well. Government’s current challenge, above food, is water supply, he said.

However, short-term and long-term plans are being implemented to tackle the problem, he said.

A team led by the Commission recently visited drought hit Somali and Afar Regional States, he said.

The residents told the team that they were able to withstand the drought without the loss of life as a result of the rapid and organized food and water supply by the government, he said.

Pastoralists living in areas where there is underground water are developing animal feed using irrigation, he said, citing the 900 hectares of land being developed in Afar a case in point.

Ethiopia is now in a position to withstand drought as it has implemented disaster risk management system from federal up to kebele levels, he said.

The government is procuring additional 405 metric tons of grain.

Strong follow-up will be held to prevent the impact of the drought on people and animals, he said.