Press Release
Drought draws Bellamy to Horn
Wednesday, 14 June 2000: While the drought crisis in East Africa has
temporarily faded from the headlines, its enormous human impact still
requires the world's help. UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy's
five-day, five-nation tour seeks to draw renewed attention to the desperate
circumstances facing millions of people across the region.
The situation for children, the weakest part of the population, is
the most dire. As the drought enters the arid summer they will become
even more susceptible to malnutrition, disease and even death. Massive
relief is required. Ms. Bellamy's trip follows a United Nations funding
appeal for more than $378 million to address the immediate humanitarian
needs of 13 million people in the region. The UNICEF portion of the
appeal totals some $30 million for health, nutrition, water and sanitation,
and education.
From 15-20 June Ms. Bellamy visits Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia
and Kenya. Thereafter she stops in London to brief the international
press on the situation of children in the drought-affected region, and
share her observations about what is needed to ensure their survival,
health and future.
See also:
Update: Drought and the spectre of
famine
Please email media@unicef.org
with comments or requests for more information.
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