[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.

                          ____________________