A total funding in amount to 1.5 billion birr has been dispatched for six regional states in Ethiopia, which are severely affected by the current drought, and specifically targeting the devastating water shortage associated with drought conditions in these regions.
According to the Motuma Mekassa, minister of Water, Irrigation and Electricity, the stated sum has been dispatch to the regions via their respective water bureaus targeting water well drilling projects and major water trucking activities to reached the most affected communities.
“So far, 1.5 billion birr in funding and some 309 tankers have been deployed to the drought-hit regions in response to critical water shortage,” Motuma told Members of Parliament on Thursday.
Motuma appeared before the House together with Workineh Gebeyehu (PhD), Transport minister, to answer to questions thrown by MPs. The parliamentary question and answer session is part of the regular schedule of the House where the legislators can summon any ministry to answer to specific questions that MPs might have. And among other things, the drought was one of the discussion topics on Thursday.
Motuma explained to MPs that water shortage has always been a critical challenge for Ethiopia for a long time; even before the drought. However, he argued that the drought has resulted in worsening the condition and it has called for a coordinated effort.
However, in a bid to address this water shortage, the federal government has dispatched a total of 750 million birr for the six regional states’ water bureaus. Meanwhile, UNICEF has also availed 450 million birr in funding to this cause and together with the regional states’ own resources which amounts to 320 million birr, he said that funding can go a long way in addressing part of this problem in the coming months.
He further explained that all the funding which is available at the disposal of the water authorities has been directed to digging new wells and maintain old ones some which are left dysfunctional for very long time.
In addition to the finance, the government and UNICEF have also deployed a total of 306 water tankers to assist with the distribution of water for some of the districts where water well development is not feasible.
Currently, 5.8 million people are facing severe water shortage in 189 woredas of six regional states, the minister noted.
