UN SG's Special Envoy urges Ethiopia and partners to address all those in need

ADDIS ABABA, 28 August 2005 - During this period of transition reaching all those in need of assistance must remain the basic aim of the Government of Ethiopia and its partners, a UN envoy said on Sunday.
"Strengthening partnerships and increasing flexibility between Government, donors, NGOs and UN will achieve this goal as Ethiopia moves towards development and an environment of self reliance," said Mr Martti Ahtisaari, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa.

During his four day visit the Special Envoy met Prime Minister Meles, Deputy Prime Minister Addissu Legesse, Minister of Health Dr. Tedros and the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commissioner as well as NGOs, donors and the UN Country Team.

Throughout his discussions he focussed on the Government's new food security initiatives and the challenges they present, and discussed reviving other components of the Coalition for Food and Livelihood Security to broaden the already ongoing programmes in health, nutrition, agriculture and water and sanitation.

"I was pleased to see the Government of Ethiopia trying to increase self reliance for food security through various longer term programmes, although the Government did note that there were problems which it was addressing during this transition period," said Mr Ahtisaari.

"During the first year of the Productive Safety Net programme which aims to address 5 million chronically food insecure, there have been problems with higher than expected grain prices and capacity at local level in effecting transfers, especially during the time of the election process.

"There were also problems in timely provisions of cash and food resources in the first two months of the year. But the Government acknowledges these problems and is working towards rectifying them. In 2006 there is a need for flexibility so that no one falls through the gaps. It is critical during this period of transition that all partners build capacities of local communities to achieve food and livelihood security, said the UN Envoy.

"Our common aim must be working towards self reliance and not expect this to happen overnight."

This is the fifth visit of the former President of Finland since his designation in June 2003 and he was accompanied by his advisor, Ms Anna Elfving and OCHA Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Ms Olla Hassan.

For Further information please contact: Kirsten Mildren, UNOCHA Information Officer, Tel.:09 641031 Email: mildren@un.org