VOA慢速英语--厄尔尼诺或导致索马里重返饥荒

AS IT IS 2016-04-27 El Nino Could Cause Famine to Return in Somalia 厄尔尼诺或导致索马里重返饥荒

The weather changer known as El Nino has left countries in east Africa in danger of famine, according to a group of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

The Somalia NGO Consortium said Tuesday that El Nino is creating drought and food shortages. The group released the statement to coincide with a United Nations meeting on humanitarian¹ needs related to the effects of El Nino.

El Nino is the natural warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean that changes weather worldwide. El Nino occurs every several years and lasts close to a year, according to the Associated Press.

El Nino impacts weather systems around the globe. For example, some places receive more rain, while others receive no rain or snow.

Last year, El Nino mostly helped conditions in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania by creating more rainfall.

But this year, El Nino has severely² reduced rainfall in Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti. As a result, close to 19 million people in the Horn of Africa region face food shortages, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination³ of Humanitarian Affairs.

Cash, cash vouchers⁵ and food have already been issued to Somalians. But the Somalia NGO Consortium says more help is needed. The Consortium is calling for “urgent humanitarian action.”

Somalia suffered a deadly famine from 2010 to 2012. More than 250,000 people died because of drought and food shortages. NGOs are hoping to avoid a similar – or even larger – disaster this year.

Words in This Story

El Nino – n. the natural warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean that changes weather worldwide

famine – n. a situation in which many people do not have enough food to eat

consortium – n. a group of people or companies that agree to work together

drought – n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain

shortage – n. a state in which there is not enough of something that is needed

voucher⁴ – n. a document that gives you the right to get something, such as a product or service, without paying for it

1 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

2 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。

3 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

4 voucher   

n.收据；传票；凭单，凭证

参考例句：

• The government should run a voucher system.政府应该施行凭证制度。
• Whenever cash is paid out,a voucher or receipt should be obtained.无论何时只要支付现金，就必须要有一张凭据或者收据。

5 vouchers   

n.凭证( voucher的名词复数 )；证人；证件；收据

参考例句：

• These vouchers are redeemable against any future purchase. 这些优惠券将来购物均可使用。
• This time we were given free vouchers to spend the night in a nearby hotel. 这一次我们得到了在附近一家旅馆入住的免费券。 来自英语晨读30分（高二）