Mr Smith’s Office: Courtney Hoogen 02 6277 7500 or 0488 244 901
Departmental : (02) 6261 1555
MEDIA RELEASE
Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
M E D I A R E L E A S E
AA 08 77 23 December 2008
AUSTRALIA PROVIDES HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO
ETHIOPIA AND SUDAN
Australia will provide $4 million in humanitarian assistance for the escalating food crisis in
Ethiopia and Sudan.
The United Nations reports that more than 17 million people in the Horn of Africa may be at
risk of famine due to drought and high food and fuel prices. Ethiopia is the hardest-hit, with
more than 12 million people depending on emergency food relief.
Australia will provide $1.5 million to support the work of Australian non-government
organisations in Ethiopia.
This funding will provide emergency relief in the areas of agriculture and livestock and provide
short-term relief whilst building up communities’ longer-term food security.
Sudan remains one of the largest humanitarian emergencies in the world. The Darfur region is
particularly affected, with ongoing conflict, poverty and displacement further exacerbated by
rising food and fuel prices.
Australia will provide $2.5 million for the World Food Programme’s operations in Sudan.
The World Food Programme’s Sudan operation is its largest in the world and has a track record
in delivering emergency assistance in this complex environment.
Australia’s funding will help the World Food Programme provide food and other food safety
net interventions to millions of Sudanese.
Australia remains deeply concerned about the food crisis in the Horn of Africa and Sudan and
will closely monitor the situation over coming months.
NEWS 
