HIGHLIGHTS
FEWS NET projects severe food insecurity through at least September
USAID partner CRS analyzes emergency seed needs
USAID/OFDA Director assesses Ethiopia drought response
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Vulnerable households and pastoralists in southern Afar Region and Somali Region’s Sitti Zone are projected to continue experiencing Emergency—IPC 4—levels of food insecurity through at least September, according to the USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET).4 In addition, vulnerable agricultural and agropastoral households in Oromiya Region’s East Hararghe and West Hararghe zones, as well as Amhara Region’s North Wollo and Wag Himra zones, will face Emergency-level food insecurity through September, given poor 2015 harvests and reduced incomes.
From March 16–19, USAID/OFDA Director Jeremy Konyndyk visited Ethiopia to assess the drought response and meet with Government of Ethiopia (GoE) officials and relief organizations. On March 18, a U.S. Government (USG) delegation—comprising Chargé d’Affaires Peter Vrooman, Director Konyndyk, USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) personnel, and USAID/Ethiopia staff—traveled to Tigray Region to observe USAID-supported drought response interventions.