UN suspends food aid to Ethiopia over diversion of supplies

Tags: International News

The United Nations World Food Program has temporarily suspended food aid to Ethiopia on June 9 because it is not reaching those in need in the African country.

An overview of the news

• America had also made a similar announcement a day earlier. WFP executive director Cindy McCain said the transfer of food aid is completely unacceptable.

• About 20 million Ethiopians out of the country's population of about 120 million are dependent on food aid due to drought and conflict.

• Much of this aid comes from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Food Program.

• Ethiopia has a population of about 120 million. This move by the United Nations agency is expected to increase malnutrition in Africa's second most populous country.

United Nations World Food Program

• It is an international organization within the United Nations. 

• It provides food assistance worldwide. 

• It is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and the leading provider of school meals.

• It was founded in 1961.

• Its Headquarter is in Rome, Italy.

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) are the founders of WFP.