[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H3435-H3436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AFRICA ON BRINK OF DEVASTATING FAMINE
(Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I cannot believe it is happening again. A
famine worse than the one that devastated Ethiopia in 1984 threatens
the lives of millions of Africans. This is happening right now, today,
and tragically, very few people are even aware of the gravity of the
situation.
This month's edition of Christianity Today includes an article
detailing the imminent devastation. Africa is on the brink of a crisis
of Biblical proportions, yet regular readers of The Washington Post,
The New York Times, and nearly every other major news outlet would have
no idea.
In 1984, 8 million people were in need of food aid. This past
January, more than 11 million people struggled for their next meal.
When I visited Ethiopia in January, I saw women and children, one, this
young girl, who were too weak to feed themselves. Today, the situation
is even more distressing.
The war in Iraq has demanded our attention, but we cannot allow this
silent emergency to grow worse. The lives of millions of women and
children depend on this story being shared loudly and boldly. How will
history judge our response if millions die while more could have been
done.
Madam Speaker, I include a copy of a letter I sent to President Bush
regarding this matter, and factual information regarding Eritrea and
Ethiopia.
The material referred to is as follows:
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, April 29, 2003.
Hon. George W. Bush,
President, The White House,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. President: I am writing to encourage you to
recommend that a special envoy for hunger be appointed by
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.
While Jim Morris, the director of the World Food Programme,
is aggressively drawing attention to this crisis, it was
distressing to read the recent cable from the American
ambassador in Ethiopia describing a grimmer outlook for the
coming months than had previously been expected. The cable
and the latest NOAA weather forecast (both enclosed), which
revises expectations for crop viability downward, paint a
bleak outlook for millions of Ethiopians for months to come.
Perhaps you might want to look at this idea and urge the U.N.
to appoint this special envoy for a year.
I know that the U.S. has undertaken a number of other steps
to respond to the famine in Ethiopia and around the world,
but I feel that while the United States is doing a good job,
it is important to enlist greater help from the other nations
who have not fully participated. I am in no way doubting Mr.
Morris's efforts or abilities, but believe that a special
envoy could augment and complement his efforts.
Many European news outlets have run stories in recent days
on the growing number of Africans, whose lives are now in
jeopardy. The Ethiopian Government is planning another `Live-
Aid' concert to re-energize the donor community and draw
international attention to the situation. The momentum of
this concert, coupled with the appointment of a U.N. special
envoy, may help draw enough attention and resources to the
continent and save the lives of millions of women and
children.
In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about the obligation to feed the
hungry. I have noticed that in these villages and camps in
Africa, it is the women and the children who are powerless
and who are dying.
Your consideration would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Frank R. Wolf,
Member of Congress.
____
Climate Information and Potential Impacts for Eritrea and Ethiopia
Background--This report contains the latest information
from the Department of Commerce (DOC)/National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on weather and climate
status, impact and outlook, including potential impacts on
food security or hydrology for the following countries (the
Appendix describes the weekly Africa Weather Hazards
Assessment also attached):
Eastern Africa: Eritrea, Ethiopia.
Climate status, impact and outlook
Eastern Africa: These countries are just entering their
rainy season. Emphasis is on current conditions and the
impacts suggested by the seasonal forecasts.
Eritrea
Climatology
Eritrea has two major climate regimes, the desert lowland
climate and the wetter, cooler highland climate.
The desert lowlands extend along the Red Sea coast. Annual
rainfall amounts average less than 8 inches and summertime
maximum temperatures often exceed 100 deg.F. Nighttime lows
during the summer are typically around 90 deg.F.
In the highlands, the climate is cooler and wetter, with
annual average rainfall amounts ranging from 18 to 24 inches.
In the Eritrean capital, Asmara (elevation 7700
feet), summertime high temperatures are typically in the
upper 60s and low 70s with nighttime lows in the upper 50s
and lower 60s.
Current Status
Dryness in recent years has resulted in long-term drought
conditions across southern Eritrea. Over the last week we
have seen a shift in the precipitation patterns with light
rainfall extending northward into central and southern
Eritrea. Based on the National Weather Service Global
Forecast model this rainfall of less than about \1/2\ inch
per day is expected to continue through the next 4 days
through April 21. Temperatures have been near-normal.
Outlook and Impact
May-July 2003: Near to above normal rainfall and above
normal temperatures are expected throughout most of the
country, which would benefit seasonal crops. However, poor
pasture conditions and long-term moisture deficits are likely
to persist.
August-October 2003: Near to above normal rainfall and
above normal temperatures are expected throughout most of the
country, which would benefit seasonal crops.
ethiopia
Climatology:
Ethiopia has three major climate regimes, the highlands,
the southern and eastern parts of the country, and north
central Ethiopia.
The highlands cover most of western Ethiopia and are at
elevations ranging from 3,000 to well over 8,000 feet. In the
Ethiopian Highlands, there is one rainy season which begins
in May and runs through September. The heaviest rains
typically fall in July and August. From October through
April, rainfall is typically light. Average annual rainfall
across the Ethiopian Highlands can exceed 60 inches. Average
summer maximum temperatures in the highlands are in the 60s
and average minimums are in the 50s.
Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city (elevation
7700 feet), averages 47.7 inches of rainfall per
year and has average summertime maximums in the upper 60s and
minimums in the mid-50s. However, extremes range from the 30s
to the 90s. In general, the mountain weather is highly
variable.
In the southern and eastern parts of the country, there are
two rainy seasons, separated by a dry season. The first rainy
season
[[Page H3436]]
occurs in April and May and is the major wet season
accounting for most of the region's annual rainfall. Rainfall
typically tapers off during June, July and August. This is
followed by a second minor wet season in September and
October. Average annual rainfall in this regime ranges from
about 30 inches in the southwest to less than 10 inches in
the southeast. Average summer maximum temperatures are in the
90s and average minimums are in the 70s.
The third major climate regime occurs in the Afar region of
Ethiopia and the surrounding areas. Afar is in northern
Ethiopia and shares a border with Eritrea and Djibouti. The
first rainy season in this area occurs during March, April
and May and is the minor wet season. Most of the rain falls
during the second wet season which occurs during July and
August. Except for occasional showers, the region is dry from
mid-September through February. Average annual rainfall in
this regime is less than 10 inches. Average summer maximum
temperatures are in the 90s and average minimums are in the
70s.
Current Status:
Dryness in recent years has resulted in long-term drought
conditions across Ethiopia's Afar region and southern
Eritrea, and adjacent portions of Ethiopia's Tigray, Amhara
and Oromiya regions. There are also indications conditions
are becoming drier across parts of southeastern Ethiopia.
Over the last week we have seen a shift in the precipitation
patterns with light rainfall extending northward into central
Ethiopia. Based on the National Weather Service Global
Forecast model this rainfall of less than about \1/2\ inch
per day is expected to continue through the next 4 days
through April 21. Temperatures have been near normal.
Outlook and Impact:
The Experimental Climate Outlook from NOAA's Climate
Prediction Center (CPC) and the International Research
Institute indicate the outlook for Ethiopia as follows:
May-July 2003: There is a small increase in the probability
for above normal rainfall in northwest Ethiopia. This region
is one of the wettest parts in the country. There is also a
small increase in the probability for below normal rainfall
in southeastern Ethiopia, which is semi-arid grassland.
Normal rainfall is expected for the remainder of the
country. Some improvement in long-term drought conditions
is expected, however, poor pasture conditions and long-
term moisture deficits are likely to persist in the Afar
region. The potential exists for an increase in long-term
rainfall deficits and vegetation stress in parts of
southeastern Ethiopia.
August-October 2003: Near to above normal rainfall and
above normal temperatures are expected throughout most of the
country, which would benefit seasonal crops.
appendix
It is important to recognize that many of the issues
discussed are regional in nature. This is exemplified by the
attached figure which depicts the most recent weekly Africa
Weather Hazards Assessment. NOAA, with support from the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID) Famine Early
Warning System (FEWS), has the lead for preparing this
bulletin, using information from NOAA, NASA, and USGS. It is
distributed as follows:
1. By electronic mail to the Department of State, USAID/
FEWS, field contractor Chemonics staff, USGS, and NASA.
Recipients also include the Drought Monitoring Centers in
Nairobi, Kenya, and Harare, Zimbabwe, Agrhymet in Niamey,
Niger, and the Southern Africa Development Community in
Gaborone, Botswana.
2. The bulletin is placed on the Climate Prediction Center
(CPC), National Weather Service (NWS) web site--htt://
www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/fews
3. CPC's web site is hotlinked to the USAID/FEWS homepage
at: http://www.fews.net/
The Africa Weather Hazards Assessment provides discussions
and graphics which highlight areas of concern to policy
makers, relief workers, decision makers and others with
interest in the African continent. NOAA's CPC produces daily,
weekly, 10-day, and monthly precipitation estimates for the
Africa region, and also monitors meteorological and climatic
phenomena for the continent. CPC monitors dryness, drought,
flooding, temperature extremes, cyclones, and organized storm
systems. This information is included in the weekly weather
hazards product as guidance to help users make more accurage,
relevant decisions.
With support from the USAID/FEWS, NOAA anticipate
developing a similar weekly bulletin for Central America over
the next few months.
Information on the seasonal outlooks is a result of a
partnership between the NOAA/NWS Africa Desk and the NOAA-
sponsored International Research Institute for Climate
Prediction.
____________________