July 12 2016
Ethiopia: 'The Green Hunger'
Ethiopia is experiencing severe food shortages and malnutrition following months of sparse rainfall. In the Eastern Hararghe region, the drought has been particularly severe. While the region looks green, insufficient rain and seed shortages have led to widespread crop failure. Ethiopians in the region call it the “Green Hunger.”
Not only have erratic rains severely disrupted the crop cycle, but last year’s drought ensured that plants never developed to seed stage. In some cases, farmers have not planted any crops at all owing to the severe lack of seed in the region. This young farmer in Gursum says “this year we will be hungry.”
A young girl is among those waiting for food from the WFP.
The sealed packages contain cereals that have been designed by the WFP for children aged six months to two years, to be used as a complement to breast feeding. The ‘super cereal’ is prepared from soya beans, sugar, and a number of vitamins and minerals.