Food Crisis Implications
An example of Ethiopia
What is the problem?
Ethiopia is battling a severe famine, made worse by the high cost of food. The situation has put millions of children at risk of acute malnutrition or even death.
- Ethiopia has a history of food insecurity and famine. Rising food prices have compounded the situation.
- Recurring drought and flooding have made farming difficult for more than 83 per cent of the population, people who live in rural areas and farm their own food.
Who is at risk?
Approximately 6.4 million Ethiopians are in need, a need exacerbated by the global food crisis.
- Children under five and nursing mothers are the groups being hit the hardest.
- According to UN reports, about 34,000 children are acutely malnourished.
Why is this happening?
Issues such rising food costs, crop failure, drought, crop and livestock diseases have contributed to Ethiopia’s food shortage.
- The price of grain has more than doubled, while the cost of lentils has quadrupled. A 20 per cent inflation rate has further hindered access to basic food items such as rice, wheat and cereals.
- An unusually dry rainy season, followed by flooding, has severely limited the amount of food and fresh water available.
What is World Vision doing?
World Vision has worked in Ethiopia for 33 years and is well positioned to deal with this crisis.
- World Vision Ethiopia has started emergency distributions of food and non-food relief, including water, seeds and essential drugs.
- Two nutrition stabilization centres have been established in southern Ethiopia – with a third opening soon – to help severely malnourished children.
- World Vision is purchasing and distributing pesticides to help control pests that are eating planted crops.
