|
|
DJIBOUTI: Precarious food situation in rural areas
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]
|
? ?IRIN
An Afar community living in Djibouti's drought-stricken Buia region, near the Ethiopian border.
|
NAIROBI, 19 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - The food situation in rural areas of Djibouti is precarious and there is a need to accelerate emergency food distribution in the tiny Horn of Africa country, an early warning network has reported.
"Prices for staple foods and non-foods are increasing significantly, with negative impacts on poor households in both rural and urban areas," the USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS Net) said in its food security update for August.
FEWS Net said a continuous rural exodus had been witnessed in the majority of secondary cities, and even in the capital, Djibouti city.
"Animal productivity declined significantly and the current delay of karan/karma [June-October] rains raises concern for the food security of the livestock dependent rural population," it added.
Djibouti is suffering from a drought following three failed rainy seasons.
In June, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that an urgent flash appeal made in April for US $7.5 million in drought relief for Djibouti had received almost no response.
[ENDS]
|
|
