Drought Forces Up to 500,000 From Homes
From Times Wire Reports
Ethiopian officials warned of an impending tragedy in the drought-stricken Afar region, where local authorities say up to 500,000 people have left their homes in search of food and water.
Two years of poor rains have dried out wells and rivers in the eastern region, forcing women to trek for seven hours a day to find water and killing livestock that families depend on for milk.
United Nations experts, nongovernmental organizations and Ethiopian officials are touring the area to assess needs, the state-run Ethiopian News Agency reported.
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