Addis Ababa July 29(ENA)--The Standing Committee for Rural Development with the House of Peoples' Representatives said the activities launched by the offices under the Ministry of Rural Development to avert the existing drought in the country were encouraging.

In its performance report presented to the House on Tuesday, the committee said the efforts exerted by the organizations under the ministry had enabled to achieve goods results in assisting drought-stricken people.

The efforts should further be consolidated until the affected people become self-relaint in food, the committee told the House.

It said identifying drought prone areas to ensure food security sustainably through extension program should further be strengthened by designing development strategies.

The committee said some positive results have also been achieved from resettlement program.

It also lauded the offices under the ministry for discharging their responsibilities efficiently.

Members of the House said on their part the absence of appropriate strategic plan has hindered the soil and forest conservation activities.

The committee told the house on its part that a National Water and Soil Conservation Policy and Strategy have already been designed by the Ministry of Agriculture and presented to the Council of Ministers for approval.

Regional states on their part are currently exerting efforts to design similar policies and strategies.

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