Somali Refugees in Ethiopia - World Food Programme Response 2011

(August 2011) As a result of the ongoing drought in the Horn of Africa the number of Somali refugees in Ethiopia has more than doubled from around 60 000 to 150 000 since January 2011. Most of these people have fled due to developing famine conditions throughout southern Somalia and are suffering from extremely high rates of malnutrition. This massive influx of highly vulnerable people has strained the local capacity to cope and necessitates an increased international response. With Canadian support the World Food Programme (WFP) is helping to meet the ongoing food assistance needs of the Somali refugee population living in Ethiopia. In addition to blanket food distribution WFP operates several other programmes (such as food for work and school feeding) to help protect livelihoods and promote education (particularly for otherwise neglected girls) amongst the refugee population.