Press Release

January 9/ 2008

Ministry of Information 

THE REPORT BY THE UNITED NATIONS NEWS CENTER on FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN THE OGADEN REGION IS NOT GENUINE

        The recent report by the United Nations News Center entitled “Food Security in the Somali Region is endangered” is not based on tangible information and adequate studies and hence unfounded. 

        The report presented by the News Center as if the food distribution in the Ogaden Region has faced challenges is not only an exaggerated story but also incompatible with the studies conducted by the other UN organs including the UNICEF and the WHO. In accordance with the recent studies conducted by the various UN organs concerning the region, no evidence that depicts the occurrence of any chronic shortage of food in the region is reported.

        It is true that the region has shortage of rainfall. However, in situations where scrutiny is being carried out to identify whether this shortage of rain fall alone is the cause for the scarcity of food in the region, it is inappropriate to report as if shortage of rain fall has resulted in human crisis.

        In fact, it is evident that there has occurred a moderate rise in price of goods in some parts of the region and the price of animals and animal products as well has relatively risen.  Owing to the fact that the majority of the local community live in animal husbandry, it is simple to notice the rise in the economy by considering the income of the pastoralist.

        Along side the relentless effort being exerted to address the scarcity of health professionals and the supply of clean potable water, it should be realized that there does not exist any chronic shortage of food in the Ogaden Region.

        The other story of the News Center which is not based on concrete information and study is the report that points out as locust swarm has caused problem in the Regional State.  Though it is true that some signs of an out break of locust swarm has witnessed, it should be learnt that the problem is not found to be beyond the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Regional Government.

        Essentially, the World Food Program does not distribute food, but follows and monitors the food distribution together with the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency. As the food distribution is made through the structure of the region after having been transported to the region by the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA).  Hence, this distorted report has to be corrected.

        It has to be known that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the region’s health bureau has so far deployed five movable groups and also preparing to send more groups to the region. As a result, it should be noted that everybody has the responsibility and the obligation to report and disseminate information by substantiating accurate information and studies. 

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