Pressed he admits that this may not always be the case because the number of residents registered in the area is a couple of thousand less than the actual number. Two hours further along the main road, on the way to areas where the rain came far too late, we talk to villagers whose children are dying. They are still waiting for relief aid in adequate proportions to their need. They say that they have sold everything that could be sold. On the road back to town we stop at a relief distribution.
People explain that they receive less per family than the recommended ration per person.
Others explain that a few months ago people came in from the Somali Region because they heard that they could be helped in Bale. They were not registered on the lists and many died because they did not have the strength to go back home. Closer to town, the trucks with relief grain drive towards us. On top of the precious load are four soldiers, happily cheering as they return home. The war against Eritrea seems to be extremely popular - even here in the South where people traditionally do not have very warm feelings for the ruling group, the Tigrineans from northern Ethiopia.