ROME/ADDIS ABEBA (dpa-AFX) – The UN World Food Program (WFP) has temporarily suspended its food aid for the East African country because of misappropriated aid supplies in Ethiopia. The diversion of food donations is absolutely unacceptable and the Ethiopian government’s commitment to holding those responsible to account is welcomed, WFP chief Cindy McCain said on Friday. The US development agency USAID also suspended its aid.
According to the WFP, more than 20 million people in Ethiopia are in urgent need of food aid, for example because of drought or conflict. Some WFP aid, such as for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, is to be continued for the time being. With around 120 million inhabitants, Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa.
In recent months, evidence had accumulated that food supplies had been diverted and resold. At the beginning of May, WFP and USAID had already stopped their aid to the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia, which had been destroyed after a civil war, and initiated investigations.
“WFP takes this issue very seriously and will take all necessary steps to ensure critical food aid reaches those who need it most,” the World Food Program said. Planned measures include using technology to verify the identity of those in need in real time. “In addition, WFP is stepping up food tracking to the families of beneficiaries, as well as monitoring and reporting partner violations and misuse of food aid.”/cpe/DP/ngu