Poor deyr (October to November 2007) rains have exacerbated the high to extreme food insecurity already present in parts of Somali Region and lowlands of Oromiya Region as the dry jilaal season progresses and the peak hunger season sets in.

Rainfall for the March to May 2008 gu season is forecast to be below normal in the eastern half of Ethiopia, where these rains are the main rainy season. For parts of Oromiya and Somali regions this will be the third poor season in succession and could lead to widespread extreme food insecurity.

Despite record meher-season (June to October) production in 2007, about eight million chronically food insecure people and an additional 952,503 acutely food insecure people will require food or cash assistance in 2008.

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