People are migrating long distances to find food and water. This has meant that they are congregating in villages and towns where support services are already over-stretched. Despite the fact that the Ethiopian Government has been issuing appeals for more food aid since January it is only now that up to 12 million people are on the threshold of a major famine that the international community is beginning to react. GOAL , which has been working in Ethiopia since the major famine in 1984, has sent out extra personnel to assist the staff already working there and more are being sent out in the near future. Medical equipment such as needles, syringes, sterilising equipment etc. are also badly needed.
Malaria is endemic in the area and there has also been a measles epidemic.
GOAL is also appealing for doctors and nurses to go to Ethiopia on short-term contracts.