ETHIOPIA: Aid agencies warn of "slow starvation
ADDIS ABABA, 22 APRIL 2003 (IRIN) - Millions of children in drought-stricken Ethiopia are being “slowly starved” by the international community, leading charities warned on Monday.

“We are appalled by the lack of full rations to food aid beneficiaries in Ethiopia, which amount to slow starvation for those without other sources of food,” said a statement issued by Save the Children Alliance, Action Aid, CAFOD, and Christian Aid.

“For the international community to allow this to happen in the 21st century is unforgivable,” added the aid agencies which all work in Ethiopia.

The statement follows sharp criticism by the head of the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), James Morris, who said donors were overlooking the crisis in Africa to deal with Iraq.MORE