Ethiopia: Potential Humanitarian Crisis in Somali Region

The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported that a potential humanitarian crisis is looming in the Somali region of Ethiopia where the long rains have failed and up to 1.3 million people are likely to need emergency aid until the end of the year. Preliminary assessments suggest that crops have failed in 14 districts and the agency is calling for immediate delivery of water in some areas where shortages for both human and livestock consumption are reported to have already become critical.