Media Statement, 14th March 2008

Due to a prolonged period of drought, GOAL has been forced to implement an emergency intervention in three areas of Southern Ethiopia. This intervention will concentrate on providing nutrition support for malnourished children and supplementary feeding for pregnant and lactating women. GOAL has also started water tanking in the districts.

The humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly. It is estimated that within weeks the mortality levels in Borena, Wolayta and Sidamo will become critical due to food insecurity.

Limited water availability means that livestock in general is in a very poor condition. Skeletal carcases have started to line the roads. Child malnutrition rates have increased as the animals are no longer producing any milk.

GOAL’s CEO John O’Shea said, “All the indications are that a famine is imminent. We must do all we can at this stage to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe”.

GOAL has launched an appeal and are asking the Irish people to donate what they can to;

GOAL
PO Box 19,
Dun Laoghaire
Co Dublin

Tel No: 01 280 9779

For further information please contact:

John Rynne, GOAL Ethiopia Country Director, on +251 911 214432