In drought-hit Ethiopia, UNICEF to distribute high-energy biscuits donated by Norway

Aiming to help Ethiopia's acutely malnourished youngsters as well as the country's pregnant and lactating women, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has announced plans to distribute 100 metric tons of high-energy biscuits contributed by Norway.

“The Norwegian donation is the first major commitment from the international donor community in advance of our consolidated appeal,” said UNICEF Representative Ibrahim Jabr on Wednesday. “This timely response to the emergency will ensure the efficient delivery of assistance to the women and children that need it most so that we can avert a major humanitarian crisis in the coming year.”

Meanwhile, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy was set today to visit Afar, one of the Ethiopian regions hardest-hit by drought, to see firsthand how the agency is servicing vulnerable women and children there.

UNICEF is urging the international donor community to support its programmes addressing Ethiopia's emergency needs. The agency's projects cover health and nutrition, water and sanitation, education, HIV/AIDS prevention, shelter and mine risk education.