MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia will provide an additional $2.5 million in emergency assistance for
the Horn of Africa, where almost 15 million people are at risk of starvation
because of severe drought, flooding and post conflict instability.
'Australian relief efforts will focus on the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea
and be distributed through the United Nation's World Food Programme, which has a
long record of effective aid delivery in the region,' the Parliamentary
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Chris Gallus said.
'Recent UN reports indicate more than 12 million people - about one fifth of
the population - face severe food shortages in Ethiopia because of drought and
food insecurity, with flooding in the eastern region badly affecting about
90,000 people.
'In Eritrea, the UN estimates more than 2 million people are affected by
drought and post conflict vulnerability - almost 70 per cent of the
population.
'Australia's main aid focus is on our own neighbourhood, however in
recognition of the crisis, Australia's total humanitarian aid to Africa now
stands at $36 million, including $23.5 million through the World Food
Programme,' Mrs Gallus said
Contacts:
Shane Fairlie (Office of Mrs Gallus) 02 6277 4840 or 0408 680 442
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6260 4960 or 0412 804 489