UN ISSUES $7.5 MILLION APPEAL FOR DROUGHT-STRICKEN DJIBOUTI
New York, Apr 27 2005 1:00PM
With Djibouti currently facing worsening drought conditions following three consecutive failed rainy seasons, the United
Nations today appealed for some $7.5 million to stave off the severe food crisis threatening the tiny Horn of Africa
country.
Immediate needs include food aid for nearly 29,000 people and water for some 18,000 more, according to the UN Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Djibouti’s Government had earlier requested international assistance to help cope with the erratic rainfall patterns,
which have sparked a raft of life-threatening predicaments, adversely affecting the replenishment of water catchments
and the regeneration of pastures.
The delayed rains have forced abnormal pastoral migration patterns – of both people and livestock – and a further
depletion of already exhausted pastures and grazing areas. Significant over-grazing and the depletion of water sources
have also contributed to widespread livestock deaths and a serious decline in milk productivity. The remaining animals
are in poor condition due mainly to opportunistic parasites and diseases, OCHA said.
To make matters worse, Djibouti’s coastal pastures and water sources have also been overburdened by pastoralists from
the neighbouring, seriously drought-affected countries of Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The rain has also been
insufficient to replenish much-needed water sources throughout the country and it is below the threshold for pasture
regeneration. All water catchments in the north-west and south-east are practically dry.
Families in Djibouti generally purchase the food they need with income from the livestock they sell; since many families
have lost their entire herds, household incomes and access to food has been severely constrained. Moreover, because of
the prolonged drought, malnutrition is a major concern, and OCHA estimated that supplementary feeding is needed for
nearly 6,000 children.
2005-04-27 00:00:00.000