15 Feb 2024
The Amhara region in Ethiopia grapples with a severe food crisis, with over 2.4 million people now in desperate need of assistance. This includes both farmers whose crops have been devastated by natural disasters and internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have fled their homes due to conflict.
Fikre Mulugeta, spokesperson for the regional Disaster Prevention and Food Security Commission, reports that over 1.8 million farmers have lost their crops, primarily due to natural disasters. Additionally, over 600,000 people have been internally displaced within the region.
Despite efforts by the federal government, which allocated 307,000 quintals of food over the past six months, access remains a major challenge. “Insecurity” in certain areas makes transportation and distribution difficult, leading to complaints from farmers who haven’t received promised aid.
Fana Broadcasting has reported that authorities are working tirelessly to address the crisis. The regional government has allocated over 430 million birr to purchase and distribute food relief, while Fikre Mulugeta assures that aid distribution is being urgently addressed.
This alarming situation highlights the urgent need for continued support from the international community to help alleviate the suffering of millions in Amhara.
