- Title: [SW News] (M2 Communications) UN:
Secretary-General appoints Catherine Bertini, World Food Programme Executive Director, as
Special Envoy on Drought in Horn of Africa
- From:[]
- Date :[Monday, April 03, 2000 7:35 AM EST ]
UN: Secretary-General appoints
Catherine Bertini, World Food Programme Executive Director, as Special Envoy on Drought in
Horn of Africa
Story Filed: Monday, April 03, 2000 7:35 AM EST
APR 3, 2000, M2 Communications - The following statement was issued today by the Office
of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan
The Secretary-General has appointed Catherine Bertini, Executive Director of the World
Food Programme (WFP), as his Special Envoy on the Drought in the Horn of Africa.
According to estimates of the WFP, more than 15 million people in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Djibouti, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda
and the United Republic of Tanzania are facing a humanitarian crisis of serious
proportions.
Persistent drought and poor rainfall, coupled with the effects of conflict and
insecurity, have eroded food stocks in the region, which also plays host to several
thousand refugees and internally displaced persons. The most seriously affected
populations are agropastoralists in southern and eastern Ethiopia, Somalia
and northern Kenya.
The magnitude of the problem may well increase; prospects for the rains expected in May
and June are uncertain. Without increased donor support for immediate food relief
assistance, the international community may be confronted with the sort of food crisis the
region tragically had to deal with 15 years ago. It is urgent that pre-emptive measures
are taken now to avert such a catastrophe.
Ms. Bertini will be travelling to the Horn of Africa on 11 April, following her
meetings next week with the Secretary-General in Rome. During her visit to Ethiopia,
Djibouti, Eritrea and Kenya, she will raise public awareness of the deteriorating
situation and the growing threat of famine. She will also seek commitments from
governments and other parties to conflict to provide secure access for humanitarian
agencies, examine the country-specific and regional dimensions of the crisis, and address
logistical concerns. Ms. Bertini will also look into the manner in which the immediate
response may lay the groundwork for longer-term food security in the region.
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