Harar Dec. 18(ENA)--Prime minister Meles Zenawi visited on Wednesday areas affected by the prevailing drought in the Somali and Oromia states.

The prime minsiter leading federal and regional government officials toured east Haraghe and Shinle zones in the Oromia and Somali zones respectively.

During his visit the prime minister has exchanged views with victims of the drought on ways to facilitate the provision of relief food and development activities being undertaken in the area.

The farmers in Kere and Tulu localities in the in Fedis and Babile woredas in the ormia state told the Meles that their crops have lost and the rivers have gone dry.

Although the government has been distributing relief food to the needy, it should increase the assistance as the number of people affected by the drought is on the rise, they said.

The farmers said some kebel officials were not fair in the distribution of the relief, adding that urged the government to establish controlling mechanism.

Chairman of the east Haraghe zone Getachew Bedane said studies conducted in the area indicated that over 884, 000 people have been exposed to relief support.

He said the dispatched relief food has been distributed properly to the people in need of assistance.

Some individuals who attempted to create havoc during the distribution of relief assistance have been brought to the law of court.

The prime minister said he was bale to realize the magnitude of the problem from the visit and the briefing, adding that his government attaches paramount importance to the situation and has been dispatching assistance to the affected areas.

He, however, said the drought situation couldn't be averted by the provision of relief assistance; instead the residents should join the efforts of the government launched to bring about sustainable development by harnessing rivers and effectively using rainwaters.

The prime minister has also visited the Beyegugur kebel in the Ayisha woreda of the Somali state where the people were exposed to a sever drought.

The residents said grazing lands have been destroyed and water wells are dried up due to failure of rains for the last two years.

Drought induced disease has killed many people and animals in the area, they said, adding that some local people have fled their home places in search of food.

They also said they have never received any relief food since the drought surfaced in the area, adding that urged the government to seek a solution to the problem.

Responding to their question the prime Minster said the necessary measures would be taken to address the problems of the drought victims.

He said the government has been exerting utmost efforts to distribute the relief assistance received from abroad to the affected people.

The people in the area should practice water conservation activities to mitigate the ill effects of the drought.

Deputy prime minister and minister of rural development, Addisu Legesse including federal and regional governments officials have also toured the areas with Meles.

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