While other parts of Africa have received more attention, Ethiopia is experiencing an ongoing food crisis that threatens up to half a million people in the northeastern part of the country, and millions of others throughout the country.
Populated by a nomadic people called the Afar, this area has been hit by drought for most of this year, leaving the pastoralist nomads with many dead livestock.
Ethiopia is one of the least developed countries in the world and leads the world in levels of malnutrition. At the end of July, Ethiopia’s government warned that as many as 8 million people were facing food shortages and would require aid.
Sources:
Ethiopia: Over 8 Million In Need Of Food Aid. United Nations, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Press Release, August 1, 2002.