Floods and Drought: Ethiopia gyrates between dangerous climate change extremes

  

July 14, 2011 – ADDIS ABABA, (IRIN) – While the ongoing drought has seriously undermined the food security of up to 4.5 million people in Ethiopia, a threat posed by expected flooding during the second half of 2011 could exacerbate the situation, say meteorological officials. Ethiopia’s meteorological agency has forecast normal to above-normal rainfall during the June-September rainy season, with the risk of flooding in western, northwestern and central areas. Areas around Lake Tana in Amhara region, parts of Gambella and along the Awash basin in Afar region are likely to be affected by floods. “Parts of these areas, particularly in low-lying [areas] and near riverbanks, could face flooding as we usually anticipate in this season,” said Diriba Koricha, the director of Forecast and Early Warning Department at the agency. However, “as the season progresses in August and September, swift but heavy rainfalls could result in flooding anywhere”, he said, adding that further preparation was needed to prevent any humanitarian crisis. Launching an appeal on 11 July for drought aid, Ethiopia’s Agriculture Ministry said the country’s food security situation had deteriorated since the beginning of the year to the La Niña-induced drought currently ravaging parts of the country. The country requires US$398 million for food and non-food aid between July and December 2011. he government made the appeal as humanitarian actors reported funding shortfalls. Judith Schuler, World Food Programme (WFP) Ethiopia spokeswoman, said many of its food assistance activities in Ethiopia “face significant funding shortfalls.” –IRIN News