ERITREA: Food needs will increase

NAIROBI, 15 January (IRIN) - Food aid will be needed by an increased number of people in Eritrea this year, a preliminary study found. The study, by the official Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC), WFP and NGOs, said the combined beneficiary caseload for war-affected and drought-affected people will increase from 961,750 last year to 1,761,854, with an increase in monthly food requirements from 17,168 tons to 19,072 tons.

The operation assisting drought-affected persons is expecting some 2,637 tons of food this month, but current stocks and expected shipments are insufficient to meet the requirements, said a WFP emergency report in January. WFP said it hoped new donor contributions would be pledged for the drought operation soon, which would allow quick borrowings from the operation assisting the war affected to cover the shortfall.