SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH HIGH COMMISSIONERS
WEDNESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1984
ETHIOPIAN FAMINE RELIEF
ESSENTIAL FACTS
1.
last two years: Nearly £13 million
£3.7 million bilateral
British response in last (£7.8 million through European Community;
food aid; £1.2 million disaster relief).
2.
Further assistance since 1st October 1984: 6,500 tonnes of
food (to reach Ethiopia mid-December); two RAF Hercules aircraft
for three months to assist with distribution; Much of the £5
million, announced on 24th October, for Ethiopia and other drought- stricken African countries. This is being spent on landrovers and
mobile workshops to help with internal distribution; trucks and
spares to help
to help with unloading at the ports; and assistance to voluntary agencies.
3.
European Community
Community response: 125,000 tonnes of food to Ethiopia in past twelve months. In response to HMG's initiative, special programme to drought-stricken countries in Africa worth £35 million agreed on November 6th, much of it for Ethiopia.
4.
Australia has provided aid worth £7.5 million (mostly grain through World Food Programme). Canada has allocated £16.5 million from financial year 1984/85 for Ethiopia (most of it for 80,000 tonnes of grain).
5.
We are assisting other countries with drought problems including Chad, Sudan, Mozambique and smaller contributions to Kenya and Mali. We have also provided emergency assistance to Bangladesh following the extensive flooding there.
6.
Most recent ODA Press Bulletin, with more details, attached.
Att.
14 November 1984