Ethiopia allocates over USD 2 Billion for food security program

By Tesfa Alem Tekle

March 5, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Ethiopian government has launched a second phase five year long safety net program as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to curb national food insecurity. State ministry of agriculture and rural development said.

A total of 2.2 Billion dollars are allocated for the program that focuses to provide more reliable, timely and sustainable support to chronically food insecure households in over 300 woredas (counties) across the country.

In 2005, the Ethiopian government reviewed its strategy toward food aid distributions of an emergency appeal replacing it by a productive safety net program which currently embraces some 7.8 million poor citizens.

The new launch is an extension of the first phase food securing program.it will be financed by the Ethiopian government and nine other donor partners.

According to a statement from the Ministry, sidelines to assisting the most vulnerable people the program will also work on forestation activities.

(ST)