The United Nations (UN)
has warned of new phase of drought and flood known as La Nina in the Ethiopia’s
region of Oromia and Somali, according to meteorological notice made available
to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), reports NaijaAgroNet.
As said by exprts, a La
Niña event is 55 per cent likely for October to November and will have two
major impacts on Ethiopia: flooding in the dominantly highland areas and
additional drought in the lowland livestock-dependent areas of Oromia and
Somali regions. FAO is supporting the Government to prepare a contingency plan
to address the upcoming needs.
FAO said that with resources
available, the organization has already provided agricultural inputs to
127 000 households (635 000 people) in drought-affected regions including
Amhara, Afar, Oromia, Tigray, Somali and SNNP.
“So far, nearly
3 700 metric tons of seed and 5.8 million potato cuttings have been
delivered to affected communities. Additional vegetable and late season crop
seed are being purchased and will be distributed between August and September
2016,” FAO said.
The agency also said it
has provided critical support to livestock-owning families, provided livestock
feed, fodder seed to rejuvenate pasture, and rehabilitated water points for
livestock.
FAO says it has
supported the government to vaccinate and treat some 1.4 million animals,
decrying that large numbers of animals has been weakened by the drought and are
exposed to diseases as the result of the recent floods.
The UN organization revealed
its planning to expand the vaccinations and treatment campaigns.
In order to increase the
coverage of both on farmers and livestock keepers affected by the drought and
current floods, FAO says it requires $10 million by the end of September
2016.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Share ur views here