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June 27, 2008

Humanitarian Groups Overstate Ethopia's Drought Crisis, Official Says

An Ethiopian official said that aid organizations are exaggerating the effects of a drought in that country in order to raise money “under false pretenses,” reports Reuters.

“These humanitarian organizations are showing pictures of emaciated babies on television, telling the world six million children are malnourished and that there will be a calamity unless they receive funds,” said Deputy Prime Minister Adisu Legesse. “While we appreciate assistance whenever it is needed, we reject being used as publicity to raise funds under false pretenses.”

Mr. Legesse, who is also Ethiopia’s minister of agriculture and rural development, added that some 4.6 million people and around 75,000 children need help, but that there is no famine.

The United Nations says that Ethiopia needs $325-million for 400,000 tons of food, according to the wire service.

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