Ethiopia - Emergency Aid Feb03 |
Subject:
The
poor need water and seed I
spent a week in drought-stricken areas of Ethiopia with two Parliamentary
colleagues to assess the famine. My findings were well-received and
supported by the European Parliament (Water
is the Answer, 25th January 2003). I
spoke with some of the hundreds who squatted in the hot sun to receive
their monthly 12.5Kg ration (maize and oil). Every one of them begged me
to help secure an adequate supply of water and seed to prevent disease and
death. We must help the poor to achieve food self-sufficiency and
self-reliance and I have urged the EU to focus its aid accordingly. I
am delighted that the European Commission has responded to my plea for
immediate food aid to Ethiopia. They have granted another €5 million for
emergency food aid operations that will
secure an additional 25,000 metric tons of food for the starving
population. |