El Nino Crisis - Nutrition and Food Security in Ethiopia - CARE Canada 2016

October 2016 - As a result of a particularly strong El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean Ethiopia is facing its worst food security crisis in thirty years. Failed rains in many areas of southern and eastern Ethiopia throughout 2015 left more than 10 million people in need of emergency food assistance a massive increase from 2.9 million people at the beginning of the year. Malnutrition rates have also risen with at least 400 000 children expected to require treatment for severe acute malnutrition in 2016. In addition access to safe water particularly in rural areas continues to decline leading to widespread livestock deaths and the threat of outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera. Depending on events the situation is expected to remain critical until May of 2017. With GAC’s support CARE is working to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of an estimated 13 750 drought-affected pastoralists in the Afar Region of north-eastern Ethiopia. Through support to the local health authorities CARE is improving access to screening and treatment for acute malnutrition in target communities. In addition cash transfers are helping beneficiaries to meet their basic needs.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved nutritional status and (2) improved access to basic needs amongst drought-affected pastoralists in the Afar region of Ethiopia. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or that are facing acute food insecurity.