[dehai-news] (IHT) UK reviews aid, says Ethiopia hid hungry children


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From: Yemane Natnael (yemane_natnael@yahoo.com)
Date: Sat Oct 18 2008 - 12:41:54 EDT


                                        
                                        UK reviews aid, says Ethiopia hid hungry children

October 18, 2008
                                                        
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia:
The U.K. has decided to review its aid to Ethiopia every year after
learning that malnourished children had been moved so a British
official would not see them, a British diplomat said on Saturday.
 
British International Development Minister Douglas Alexander made
the decision following a visit to Ethiopia this week, said Norman Ling,
Britain's ambassador to Ethiopia.
 
The aid program for the Horn of Africa nation had been scheduled to
last three years. But concern that Ethiopia was downplaying the effects
of drought led to the change, Ling said.
 
Saturday's edition of The Times of London reported that Alexander
went this week to a hospital in the Somali region of Ethiopia, where
the drought has hit hard. The paper reported that Alexander learned
that malnourished children had been hidden for the length of his visit.
 
Alexander raised the incident with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles
Zenawi, saying, "If it's true that they moved severely malnourished
children, that is unconscionable," The Times reported.
Ling confirmed that Alexander's comments were accurately quoted.
 
The paper said Meles promised to investigate, calling the incident "despicable."
Ling emphasized that the decision does not mean aid to Ethiopia has
been cut. Britain is one of Ethiopia's largest donors and the country
relies heavily on foreign loans and grants.
 
Ethiopia has called for more aid to feed 6.4 million people affected
by drought this year. Its government disputes a U.N. food agency
estimate in September that 9.6 million people are affected by
the drought.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/18/africa/AF-Ethiopia-Britain.php

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