DJIBOUTI: Precarious food situation in rural areas

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

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]