Written question asked by Sydney Chapman (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 March 2000. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 March 2000 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, What assessment she has made of the likely effects of crop failures in the Horn of Africa. (Failed OPQ). - Includes figures.

Answer: Sir Sydney Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the likely effects of crop failures in the Horn of Africa. [115453] Clare Short: Crop failure is a regular occurrence in the Horn of Africa and communities have developed strategies for dealing with its effects. These include diversification of agricultural production systems and other socio-economic strategies, such as migration. Extreme hardship through crop failure is usually the result of conflict or poor crop management. Harvests were poor in 1999 in some parts of the Horn of Africa. It is too early to say if 2000 is likely to see serious crop failure in Ethiopia and Somalia but the UN estimates emergency food needs for 2000 will be as follows: Ethiopia (Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Commission)-- 900,000 metric tonnes for 8.1 million people Eritrea (United Nations Country Team)--25,000 metric tonnes for 211,750 people Somalia (United Nations Appeal)--25,000 metric tonnes for 400,000 people.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 347 c182W; 115453
Session: 1999-00
Question not reached: Yes
Subjects: Crops Agriculture International assistance Famine Ethiopia Somalia Horn of Africa
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk