Read at : IRIN
ETHIOPIA: Gov’t rejects politicized food aid claims
ADDIS ABABA, 24 November 2009 (IRIN) – The Ethiopian government has vehemently rejected accusations that it has excluded some opposition supporters from a food-for-work programme, charges that are the focus of growing international concern in the run-up to elections in 2010.
“Such complaints are totally baseless! Totally baseless,” said State Minister for Disaster Management and Food Security Mitiku Kasa, adding that he had investigated the matter.
“Government has no intention to discriminate [against] the poor based on such grounds. After all, it is the community [that] is mandated to select who should be involved in the [productive safety net, or food-for-work] programme,” he said.
“The programme targets the community and government doesn’t get involved in the selection process. It has nothing to do with politics or political ideology. It’s all absolutely owned by the community. It is the community [that] has a say in this programme,” he said.
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