ICRC to launch massive relief food intervention activities in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, January 29(ENA)-- The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) announces plan to launch a new relief operation in the drought-hit areas of the country in cooperation with the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) as of February this year.

In an interview with ENA on Tuesday, ICRC delegation head, Alain Aeschlimann said apart from the on-going relief operation underway in the pastorialist areas, a huge relief intervention activities would be carried out in the drought-stricken agrarian areas of the country.

He said need assessment had already been made to launch the relief intervention activities in various severely affected woredas of three regional states.

Four woreads in East and West Hararghe zones of Oromia, two woredas in Eastern Tigray zone as well as six woredas in Wollaiyta and Sidama zones of South Ethiopia peoples' states have been targeted for the relief operation, Aeschlimann said.

He said crop seeds would also be apportioned among 700,000 needy farmers in the selected areas.

Including the on-going operation in the nomadic areas of Zone 3 in Afar and Shinele zone in Somali states, 800,000 drought-hit people would become beneficiaries of the relief aid, the head said.

Assisting the rehabilitation programs of war and internally displaced people, easing the plights of inmates, and instilling the basic principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) would also remain on top of ICRS priorities in 2003, among others, he said.

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