World Bank to boost resilience of 3 million Ethiopians in drought-prone regions

A woman and her child take a rest in a refugee camp on Aug 10, 2020. [Xinhua]

The World Bank said that it has scaled up efforts to boost the resilience of three million Ethiopians living in drought-prone lowlands.

The World Bank, in a statement issued late Friday, said Ethiopians living in climate-affected lowlands of the country will receive new support through a 340-million-U.S. dollars credit from the bank's International Development Association to enhance their livelihoods and climate resilience.

It said a total of three million people, many of which are pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in drought-prone areas, are set to benefit from the support.

Ethiopians nationwide are struggling with the stark realities of climate change, such as frequent and severe droughts, as well as devastating flash floods. The livelihoods of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists have been particularly hard hit, the bank said.

In the past three years, the World Bank said lowlands have suffered from consecutive severe droughts, resulting in significant livestock losses, profoundly affecting the lives of millions who depend on these animals for their survival.