United Nations Children's Fund (New York)

Ethiopia: Unicef Deputy Executive Director in Country on Drought Emergency Visit

19 June 2008

press release

Addis Ababa — UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Hilde Johnson has arrived in Addis Ababa for a four day visit to Ethiopia where she will review the emergency situation in drought affected areas.

Ms Johnson will be visiting nutrition hot spot areas in the south of Ethiopia.  She will also be meeting with Government, UN partners, donors and NGOs involved in the humanitarian response to the drought emergency.

The Government of Ethiopia estimates that at present, 75,000 children under the age of five in drought-affected areas face severe acute malnutrition and require immediate therapeutic care to survive.

4.6 million people in drought-affected areas are in immediate need of humanitarian aid.

Children are the most vulnerable to nutritional shocks and the first to succumb when there is not enough food at home.

Tagged: Children, East Africa, Environment, Ethiopia, External Relations, Health, International Organisations, NGO, Nutrition, Water

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