Geneva -The World Health Organisation (WHO), said in Geneva on Monday that Ethiopia was facing serious health challenges due to El Nino.
Michelle Gayer, Director of WHO’s Emergency Risk Management and Humanitarian Response Department, said Ethiopia was in the grip of its worst drought over the last 30 years.
“Ethiopia is one of the most affected countries by El Nino thus far.
“The country has experienced two poor growing seasons this year.
He said due to delayed rains attributed to El Nino, Ethiopia’s main annual harvest saw a severe reduction in output, which has already put some 8.2 million people in urgent need of food assistance.
Gayer said Ethiopia has since January seen an increase in the number of its malnourished children, with estimates stating that 400, 000 children would face severe malnutrition in 2016.
“In addition, some 700, 000 expecting and recent mothers are at risk for severe malnutrition.’’
Gayer said the multiple ongoing epidemics in the country could create an additional burden for people’s health as well as the health system as malnutrition.
He said especially in children, it could predispose them to more severe infectious diseases, which can kill quickly.
The director said food security emergency was coming.
He warned that the situation was expected to worsen over the next eight months and it would take more than one year for Ethiopia to recover.
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“Vulnerable populations, such as children requiring therapeutic feeding and health care, are particularly at risk of illness and death.
Gayer said in anticipating a major increase in health risks, WHO has strengthened its response by mobilizing drugs, equipment and human resources.
He said it has in addition deployed an emergency response team to support the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and partners in coordinating the health sector response across the country.
“While response plans are still being finalized, WHO estimates its initial funding request will require more than 8 million dollars. (NAN/Xinhua)
