Millions of Ethiopians are in need of emergency assistance due to food shortages and drought which are set to worsen over the coming months.

An estimated 4.5 million people are said to require immediate food aid. This is on top of the 7.2 million already receiving food or cash assistance from government support programmes.

March and April of this year saw late and sporadic rains, and the two previous rains failed. The lack of rainfall has caused severe drought throughout the south and east of the country, with Somali and Oriyama regions among the worst affected areas.

Poor rains have also led to below average harvests. Combined with the impact of rising global food prices, this has presented a significant shortfall in food supplies.

Threat to livestock

Diminished pastures and food and water shortages are also placing livestock at threat in pastoralist communities. In some districts of Somali region, livestock deaths have been reported to be as high as 80%.

Livestock is the only source of food and income for pastoralist communities. Without it, many are left with nothing to support their families.

Older people are among the most vulnerable. Younger, more mobile family members are able to move away with livestock to look for food and water, but many older people are too frail to travel. They are often left behind to look after grandchildren.

Drought mitigation

HelpAge International has been working on drought mitigation projects in Borena zone, Oriyama region, for several years. We have sought to reduce pastoralist communities' vulnerability to drought by constructing water ponds and restocking livestock.

The ponds built so far currently serve 5,000 people and 10,000 heads of livestock. Yet, while most ponds still contain water from the recent rains, this will not be enough to see people through to the next rain season in October.

Older people need targeted assistance

Alex Bush, Assistant Director of Programmes at HelpAge International, says:

“The situation is deteriorating fast and older people are among the most vulnerable. It is vital that relief efforts identify older people as a group in need of targeted assistance.

“Food aid must also be coupled with the provision of feed and water for livestock, so that pastoralist communities can protect their livelihood. Long-term measures to mitigate the effects of future droughts are also essential.

“The construction of more water reservoirs to capture the October rains will help see people through the next dry season.”