Turkey distributes food aid at refugee camp in Ethiopia

By Gokhan Kavak and Abebech Tamene

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has distributed 50 tons of essential food supplies among 1,000 drought-affected families in Ethiopia's Somali State, according to an agency official Thursday.

East Africa, including parts of Ethiopia is facing the worst drought in 48 years.

The aid agency’s office in Addis Ababa said it made the donation after consultations with local authorities during a field visit last week, office Coordinator Assistant Burak Ozden told Anadolu Agency.

"The recipients are those who flee harsh conditions in neighboring Somalia and are sheltered in a refugee camp in Babile Woreda at an hour’s drive from the regional capital Jijjiga," Ozden said.

TIKA handed out 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of white flour and 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of rice to each of the 1,000 families in the camp, he said.

The agency has been actively providing development and humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia. It also financed the restoration of the ancient Nejashi Mosque in northern Ethiopia.