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The Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) says an estimated 2.6 million people require emergency food assistance in 2006 of which about 67 percent are in the critically affected pastoral areas.

The Agency said the net requirement for the year 2006 emergency food assistance amounts to just over 101,000MT.

While appealing to humanitarian partners here on Monday, DPPA Director General Simon Mechale said more than 1.7 million people in pastoral areas are critically affected.

Simon said the critically affected pastoral areas comprise Somali Regional State, which alone accounts for about 59 percent, the Borena Zone in Oromia regional State and the Afar Regional State.

According to the Director General, the remaining 33 percent accounts for the crop-growing areas across the country, excluding Tigray and Harari Regional States.

Simon said the food security situation in Somali Region, particularly in Afder, Liben and parts of Gode zones, has already become worrisome.

''The situation could be aggravated if the next seasonal rain, expected to start in February/March, does not come on time and in sufficient amount and coverage,'' Simon noted.

Simon said despite the good performance of the season in South Ethiopia Peoples State, some people in lowland and pocket areas of three zones, namely Sidama, Kembata-Timbaro and Guraghe, will require emergency assistance due to adverse weather condition.

''An extended dry spell, early cessation of rains and pest infestation in Dire Dawa, and poor weather condition coupled with effects of local conflict in Gambella Region were reported to have contributed to a decrease in crop production thereby exposing certain portion of the population in both regions to require emergency assistance,'' Simon said.

The Director General said the performance of rains and crops were good in Tigray State compared to the previous five years.

However, he added, the cessation of Meher rains in parts of some woredas have resulted in a negative impact on crop production.

Simon said if funds from humanitarian partners are made available on time, purchase of cereals would be undertaken at home as there has been good production in other parts the country.

According to the Director General, the total food requirement to address the needs of the 2.6 million people is estimated to be around 339,000 MT.

''Taking into account the undelivered pledges of 124,500MT and unutilized stock of 113,500MT, which together add up to 238,000MT carried over from 2005, the net requirement for the year 2006 emergency food assistance amounts to just over 101,000 MT, '' Simon said.

According to Simon, emergency related non-food humanitarian interventions in health and nutrition, water and sanitation, agriculture, disaster response capacity strengthening and overall coordination is estimated to cost about 123 million US Dollar.

Simon commended humanitarian partners for the unreserved generosity in the year 2005, and reiterated his call for the usual support and generosity, which he said, is crucial to saving the lives and livelihoods of compatriots, and avert the looming crisis.

Source: ENA