by Staff Writers
Addis Ababa (AFP) March 5, 2008

More than one million people in eastern Ethiopia's drought-hit Somali
region face critical water shortages, the United Nations said Wednesday.

"A joint multi-sectoral Drought Emergency Response Plan.... has been
released by the regional government. The plan indicates that more than
one million people are currently facing critical water shortage," the UN
humanitarian agency OCHA said in a statement.

"The response plan, which focuses on life-saving interventions in health
and nutrition, water and sanitation, and livestock and agriculture, aims
to mitigate the impacts of drought due to poor consecutive seasonal
performance in 2007 coupled with the current dry season," the statement
added.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the
regional authorities were seeking over three million dollars (1.9
million euros) to address emergency requirements for a period of six months.

The mineral-rich region, also known as the Ogaden, has also been wracked
by a separatist rebellion, against which government troops have launched
a fierce crackdown.

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