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Famine Fear Returns to Ethiopia

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 30, 2009 4:08 PM CDT

(Newser) – Almost 25 years after Live Aid aimed to eradicate famine in Ethiopia, the country is facing new threats of malnutrition and mass starvation, the Independent reports. Ethiopia's erratic rains are the main culprit, failing to fall or coming too little too late, while recession-minded donors in wealthy nations are also getting stingy. But "this is exactly the time when we shouldn't turn away from the people in need," a British official says.

The Ethiopian government, which insists on distributing most food aid itself, has successfully boosted food production and relocated 2.2 million farmers to more fertile land. But rain and wealthy donors are beyond its control—as is global warming, which many Africans blame for weird weather patterns. "Although Africa is least responsible for global warming, it suffers most from a problem it didn't create,” the chair of the African Union says.

A man and his child pass the carcass of a cow in the Denan region, Ethiopia, which has been hit by a severe drought, in this Jan. 16, 2006 file picture.
A man and his child pass the carcass of a cow in the Denan region, Ethiopia, which has been hit by a severe drought, in this Jan. 16, 2006 file picture.   (AP Photo/Anthony Mitchell, File)
Ethiopian child Bizunesh Hidana, a 3-year-old weighing less than 10 pounds is seen at an emergency feeding center in southern Ethiopia, Friday May 9, 2008.
Ethiopian child Bizunesh Hidana, a 3-year-old weighing less than 10 pounds is seen at an emergency feeding center in southern Ethiopia, Friday May 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Anita Powell)
In this June 6, 2008 file photo, six year old malnourished Tariken Lakamu waits for food aid in the southern Ethiopian town of Shashamane.
In this June 6, 2008 file photo, six year old malnourished Tariken Lakamu waits for food aid in the southern Ethiopian town of Shashamane.   (AP Photo/Anita Powell, File)
In this June 5, 2008 file photo, seven year old malnourished Teybo Negussie is watched over by her mother after she was admitted to a treatment center in the southern Ethiopian town of Shashamane.
In this June 5, 2008 file photo, seven year old malnourished Teybo Negussie is watched over by her mother after she was admitted to a treatment center in the southern Ethiopian town of Shashamane.   (AP Photo/Anita Powell, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
jagerhans
Aug 31, 2009 10:02 AM CDT
QFT. the one who is right must march straight and tread on everything.
jagerhans
Aug 31, 2009 9:59 AM CDT
cartman in guatemala slums: «what the heck people! do something! go to college!» no that ain't no fucking truth. it's just the fat that is starting to rot your brains, eric.
Mr.C
Aug 31, 2009 2:44 AM CDT

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