WFP temporarily suspends food aid to Ethiopia after diversion of supplies

The United Nations World Food Programme has said it is temporarily suspending food aid to Ethiopia because its supplies are being diverted. Earlier United States Agency for International Development also said to stop the supplies.

 

WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said on Friday that food diversion is absolutely unacceptable, and the government of Ethiopia’s commitment to investigate



and hold accountable those responsible are welcomed.

 

Some 20 million Ethiopians rely on food aid because of drought and conflict, out of the country’s population of roughly 120 million. Much of the aid comes from USAID and the WFP. The suspensions brought fears that malnutrition could rise in Africa’s second most populous country.