Norway and WHO Together to Support Drought Victims

Today November 15, 2002 at 16:00 hrs, The Government of the Kingdom of Norway, represented by The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), and WHO entered into an agreement to support the implementation of health and water interventions in drought affected areas of Ethiopia. H.E. Mr. Vidar Helgesen, the Norwegian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs signed a Communiqué concerning the co-operation between NORAD and WHO regarding the support to drought affected areas in of Ethiopia.

NORAD will allocate 1.3 million USD towards the implementation of different activities, particularly to cover the costs of maintenance of the non-functioning water supply system and quality control of water, procurement and distribution of emergency health kits, measles vaccination and vitamin A supplementation campaigns in drought affected areas of Ethiopia.

Approximately 2.8 million people who live in hard-hit areas in 6 regions of the country namely, Afar, Amhara, Oromiya, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Somali and Tigray regions will benefit from the intervention.

Although this is not the first time for the Norwegian Government to assist, WHO attaches special significance to this particular moment because the assistance comes at the right time when the people really need help.

WHO will closely work with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water Resources, Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission, Regional Health Bureaus, Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau, the Communities and other Partners in implementing the intended activities.

For further information please contact

Mulugeta Gebru, WHO Ethiopia, Tel 53 47 77, and Email: mulugetag@whoet.org