Ethiopia Drought Relief - Action Against Hunger 2009

The extended dry season in the pastoral areas of Afar Somali and part of Oromia regions and below-normal rainfall in Amhara Tigray part of Oromia and Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) regions have led to the most severe humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia since 2003. A significant number of people continue to face humanitarian challenges including malnutrition acute watery diarrhea floods poor access to health-care services and critical water and sanitation shortages. All food security and livelihood analyses forecast a continued severe humanitarian situation into 2009. CIDA's contribution is supporting Action Against Hunger to help meet the clean water and sanitation needs of the most vulnerable drought-affected populations in Ethiopia. Through this project Action Against Hunger expects to reach over 17 000 beneficiaries in the SNNP region of Ethiopia by improving access to safe water sources and adequate sanitation facilities and by conducting hygiene awareness activities.