WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 07th June, 2019) At least $50 million in emergency funds will be needed to provide crucial lifesaving assistance to a million and a half displaced persons in Ethiopia, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in a news release on Friday.
"IOM is appealing to the international community for US $50 million to continue offering lifesaving assistance to 1.5 million displaced people in need in Ethiopia," the release said.
Years of combined droughts and conflicts have left almost 9 million people across Ethiopia impoverished and needing humanitarian aid and protection, the IOM said.
The $50 million appeal on Friday "is part of the comprehensive inter-agency 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Ethiopia, which aims to raise $1.3 billion to support 8.3 million people. Half-way through the year, less than one-third of the HRP has been funded," the organization said.�
A record El Nino caused droughts in 2016 and 2017, leaving 16 million people in need. In 2018, IOM boosted aid to Ethiopia to address refugee flows on the Somali-Oromia border in Dire Dawa, and in Gedeo and West Gujia.� Ethiopia as 900,000 refugees from South Sudan and Somalia, release added.
