Horn of Africa rain outlook positive

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- The U.N. special envoy working on the humanitarian crises in drought-stricken Ethiopia and Eritrea Monday wrapped up three days of extensive meetings.

Martti Ahtisaari, who visited Eritrea last week and arrived in Ethiopia Saturday, met senior Ethiopian government officials and representatives of U.N. agencies, non-governmental agencies and donor countries for discussions on how to tackle the underlying causes of food insecurity and establish long-term recovery, said a spokesman at U.N. World Headquarters in New York.

The National Meteorological Services Agency predicted positive rainfall from now until January 2005, including the south-eastern and eastern pasture areas. The rain was expected to alleviate severe water shortage problems and improve pasture conditions, but only temporarily, said the spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.

A highlight of Ahtisaari's visit was the launch of the "Evaluation of the Response to the 2002-3 Emergency in Ethiopia," a joint analysis of the crisis by the government and its humanitarian partners.

This trip to Ethiopia was the fourth for the former president of Finland had made since he became special envoy of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in June 2003. Ahtisaari said he would now visit donor countries to try to drum up investment in the two countries.