The Irish aid agency GOAL has been ramping up its operations in the Horn of Africa in recent days, this in response to the severe (worst in 60 years) drought that has resulted in millions of people facing serious food shortages and even outright famine.
GOAL, according to a statement, is responding to the deteriorating situation in the southern and eastern parts of Ethiopia, where Goal volunteers have been moving large amounts of water to some of the worst affected areas.
"We are also engaged in well/spring maintenance and hygiene promotion. In the event of an outbreak of disease, GOAL is ready to respond with the provision of medicines, and training and logistical support. In order to help the most vulnerable families, GOAL is providing seeds, fertilizers and appropriate training to thousands of households," the statement from the agency said.
Separately, GOAL's CEO, John O'Shea, has stated that millions could die in Somalia because it is too dangerous to bring aid into the war-torn country, an aid agency has claimed.
And, according to an Irish Independent report, O'Shea has launched "a scathing attack" on the United Nations, describing its response to the Somali tragedy as "astonishing."
O'Shea claimed not enough was being done to ensure the safety of aid agencies.
"The UN keeps telling the masses that the millions of Somalis face death from starvation, but as an organization they are not prepared to take any meaningful action to prevent the catastrophe."
O'Shea called on the secretary general of the UN, Ban Ki-Moon, to explain why there had not been any positive initiative to send UN peacekeepers.
As the same time, according to the report, the chief executive of Concern Worldwide, Tom Arnold, took an opposite view to O'Shea, saying that sending in troops at this juncture would be "irresponsible."
"There has to be a political solution, but this has to be achieved through talking rather than sending in armed troops which would immediately inflame the situation," Arnold said.
