Addis Fortune (Addis Ababa)
Tesfalem Waldyes
7 April 2008
(Page 3 of 3)
Vice Administrator Geda defends his administration and the government record in their effort to halt the danger of hunger in Borena Zone. He disclosed that 563,561 Br was immediately withdrawn from a Safety Net budget and distributed to 94,293 beneficiaries. Additional 124,000 family heads were supported spending 7.4 million Br from the Zone's regular budget. This money also covers the distribution of water using 22 water trucks.
Whether or not these emergency relief responses are arguably adequate, some in the aid community in Addis Abeba wonder how much prepared officials at the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) are should the main rainy season fail. The federal Emergency Food Security and Reserve Administration lent much of its stock to the Ethiopian government, which has been waging tough battle against spiraling prices in urban centers. The federal government borrowed grains from the Administration through the Ethiopian Grain Trade Enterprise (EGTE), to stabilize prices in urban markets that affected largely the low income group.
The Administration has a total capacity of storing 405,000tns of grains, while currently, it only accumulates 100,000tns. Fekade Zewede, head of planning and information of the Administration, however, says though the available stock stands at low level, the Administration is capable of responding to any emergency requirement. There is yet to be a request, though.
Rain Too Brings Death
Luckily, the weather forecast for the main rainy season is positive. In fact, the concern for some is on the flood that may hit some of the places in the south, such as Borena. Even last week, sporadic showers began to pour, as if it was a positive response to prayers by the women of Toga Woraresa.
But they should not stop here for the current showery rains are not necessarily good news to pastoralists in the south: they fear the worst is yet to come after the rain starts.
"Losing their resistance, the cattle will be dying due to cold," said Kalecha.
Kalele and her women will probably continue with their rituals, urging God to intensify the volume of rain-He perhaps had begun to send.
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