East Africa Drought (Ethiopia) - Plan International Canada 2011

(August 2011) 2011 is proving to be the driest year since 1951 in many parts of east Africa as a result of an increasingly severe drought. Successive seasons of failed rains combined with increasing food prices conflict and limited humanitarian access have resulted in food insecurity water shortages and acute malnutrition rates well above emergency thresholds. More than 12 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance in Djibouti Ethiopia Kenya and Somalia. With CIDA's support Plan is helping to meet the humanitarian needs of drought-affected communities in the Oromiya region of Ethiopia. Through its operations Plan expects to identify and treat an estimated 6 000 children under five years old and 2 000 pregnant or lactating women suffering from acute malnutrition. In addition through the rehabilitation or establishment of local water sources Plan intends to assist 18 000 people.