UNICEF Receives 4 Million USD In Support Of Emergency Food Aid

Addis Ababa, December 10(ENA)-- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says it has so far received four million USD in support of emergency food aid to drought-affected people in Ethiopia.

In an interview with ENA on Tuesday, UNICEF Country Representative, Ibrahim Jabr said the sum was part of the 23 million USD appeal made by the organization last Saturday to the international community.

He said the organization would receive about 10 million USD by mid January 2003.

UNICEF made the appeal after assessing the magnitude of the food crisis prevailing in the country, he said.

Ibrahim, who ended his office tenure in Ethiopia after serving for four years, said the organization would do its level best to avert the looming humanitarian problem in the country.

UNICEF in collaboration with the government is also engaged in various development endeavours in Ethiopia including HIV/AIDS prevention activities.

UNicef's annual assistance to the country, which was only 10-11 million USD between 1996- 1997, reached 37 million and 42 million USD in 2000 and 20001, which he said, shows the further consolidation of the cooperation between UNICEF and the government.

(END)