The Current

Ethiopia government under fire for slow response to worst drought in 50 years

Hundreds of thousands of children in Ethiopia are malnourished as famine and a drought grip the country's eastern rim. And as the government appeals for help, there are questions about why after devastating famines in past decades this is happening again.

Severe drought leaves many Ethiopians in survival mode

9 years ago
Duration 2:48
In Africa, a difficult dry spell has become the worst drought in decades. Crops and livestock are dying, leaving millions of people malnourished and more desperate each day.

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Just over 430,000 children are believed to be suffering from acute malnutrition in Ethiopia. Many children suffer from symptoms of diarrhea and fever as famine and a drought grip the country's eastern rim. 

Drought conditions have forced about 10 million people in Ethiopia to rely on emergency food aid provided by the government and international aid agencies.

The government is being criticized for not acting quickly enough and many people are asking why after devastating famines in past decades this is happening again. 

A man carries animal feed distributed under a European Union (EU) funded project in the Sitti Zone of Ethiopia, April 8, 2016. Drought conditions have forced 10 million people in Ethiopia to rely on emergency food aid. (Mulugeta Ayene/Associated Press)

Guests in this segment:

 Al Jazeera, Omar Mohammed speaks to Ethiopian farmers


This segment was produced by The Current's Liz Hoath, Josh Bloch and Pacinthe Mattar.