Action by Churches Together (ACT)
Appeal - Ethiopia
Famine Relief - AFET01
Appeal Target: US$ 32,084,145
Geneva, 6 April 2000


According to the World Food Program, more than 15 million people in
Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Djibouti, Uganda, Burundi,
Rwanda and Tanzania are facing a humanitarian crisis of serious
proportions.  The most seriously affected populations are
agro-pastoralists in southern and eastern Ethiopia, Somalia and northern
Kenya.

ACT members, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC), the Ethiopian
Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) and the Lutheran World
Federation/Department of World Service (LWF/DWS) Ethiopia, have said that
more than 8 million people will require approximately 900,000 MT of relief
food aid in order to avoid a famine.

This emergency has its roots in the failure of both the long as well as
the short rains since 1998. The cumulative effect of consecutive droughts
has thus had a disastrous impact on crop productions. Water sources have
dried up, livestock and wildlife have perished by the thousands and people
have been driven to the edge of survival with malnutrition and diseases
already starting to take a toll of human lives.

There has been considerable media attention to the misallocation of
resources due to the ongoing border conflict with Eritrea, which could
have been far better used to address the needs of the famine victims.

The current crisis is being compared to the severe famine, which gripped
the region in the mid-80s. There are fears that any further delays in
humanitarian intervention will result in a huge catastrophe.

ACT members in Ethiopia, through the Joint Relief Partnership (JRP)
proposes to cover roughly 10% of the needs enumerated in the Ethiopian
government's Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission's (DPPC)
Appeal of January 2000. Besides food aid, which is absolutely crucial at
the moment, ACT members have also included in the Appeal an agriculture
component comprising seeds, fertilizers farm tools, draft animals, pond
excavation as well as provision of water and animal fodder.

ACT member, Danchurchaid (DCA) is again taking the lead in organising a
food shipment to Ethiopia as they did in 1999, in connection with ACT
Appeal AFET92. There was considerable support for the shipment from other
members of the ACT network which we hope will occur once again and in a
much larger way as the needs are far greater presently.

Support for a substantial ACT intervention has been expressed widely and
several members of the ACT network have already made pledges to the
Appeal. See budget for details.

The severity of the situation is evident from the proposed visit to
Ethiopia next week by an ACT delegation, which includes Rev. Rudolf Hinz -
Director LWF/World Service, Rev. Christian Balslev-Olesen - ACT
Co-Moderator and Mr. Thor-Arne Prois, ACT Coordinator. A part of the
delegation's brief is to ensure a coordinated and cohesive ACT response to
this major emergency. A report on the findings will be prepared after the
delegation's visit.

Please kindly send your contributions to the ACT bank account and inform
this office of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds
sent direct to the implementers. Please note the Pledge Form is no longer
attached with the Appeal.


Ms. Genevi=E8ve Jacques=09=09Thor-Arne Prois=09=09Rev. Rudolf Hinz
Director=09=09=09ACT Coordinator=09=09Director
WCC/Cluster on Relations=09=09=09=09LWF/World Service


REQUESTING ACT MEMBER

Lutheran World Federation/Department of World Service (LWF/DWS) Ethiopia,
on behalf of itself as well as the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane
Yesus (EECMY) and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC/DICAC).

Other ACT members with a presence in Ethiopia supporting this proposal:

DanChurchAid (DCA) Advisor seconded to the EECMY/LWS Joint Relief Office
Bread for the world (BFW)
Christian Aid (CA)
Dutch Inter Church Aid (DIA)
Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)



IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES

The 3 ACT Members, LWF/DWS, hereafter referred to as LWS, together with
EECMY and EOC, will be responsible for the ACT program. These 3 ACT
Members, along with the Catholic Relief Services and the Ethiopian
Catholic Church constitute the Joint Relief Partnership (JRP).

The Joint Relief Partnership (JRP) is a consortium established by
Ethiopia's churches and two church-related international non-governmental
organizations (INGOs) in November 1984 as an emergency intervention
measure during the peak of the Ethiopian famine in the mid-1980s. The JRP
has maintained its operational capacity in order to provide emergency
relief assistance to those vulnerable groups, which continue to be
adversely affected by disasters, mainly droughts, which recur on a
periodic basis. The JRP operates with the full support of international
donor countries, as well as agencies and delegates from sister churches in
the country and abroad, whose generous donations and cooperation has been
instrumental to JRP's accomplishments.

On March 27th the entire group of ACT and JRP members in Ethiopia held a
meeting in Addis Abeba and agreed on the immediate need for an ACT appeal
to address the needs arising from the current crisis.


DESCRIPTION of the EMERGENCY SITUATION

Background

Once again, Ethiopia is in the virtual grip of a famine in which more than
8 million people are severely affected. To avoid a major humanitarian
catastrophe, an estimated 900,000 MT of relief food aid is required in the
next few months. The number of people affected is likely to increase as
they run out of remaining coping mechanisms.

Besides Ethiopia, parts of Eritrea, Somalia and Kenya are experiencing
grave food shortages and the total number of people affected is estimated
at around 16 million. However, Ethiopia remains the hardest hit.

The UN agency, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has said that "only
a massive international effort in the coming months in support of the
affected populations can avert further human suffering and loss of life."

The current crisis in Ethiopia has its roots in the failure of the belg1
Belg refers to the short rains, which normally occur from mid-February to
mid-April in the agricultural areas of Ethiopia.  Crops harvested after
these rains have traditionally accounted for 5-10% of total national food
production.  [These rains are referred to as deyr in the pastoralist
areas.]

1 and the meher2 Meher refers to the long rains, which normally occur from
mid-June to mid-September in Ethiopia's agricultural areas.  Crops
dependent on these rains have traditionally accounted for 90-95% of total
national food production.  [These rains are referred to as gu in the
pastoralist areas.]

2 rains in 1998, which resulted in a significant increase in the number of
vulnerable people requiring food assistance in early 1999.


As well as drought, armed conflicts were disrupting food production and
distribution and driving people off the land," the FAO has said,
highlighting the urgent need for peace and conflict prevention.

Rapid responses by ACT/JRP members, the Government and other relief
agencies in mid-1999 however ensured that emergency food aid distributions
were conducted in these drought-stricken areas, thus supporting
traditional household coping mechanisms and minimizing mass population
movements.


Current Situation

This precarious situation was further exacerbated in 1999 by another
complete failure of the belg rains in many parts of the country, including
North & South Wello, South Tigray, North Shoa, East & West Hararghe, North
Omo, and Konso.  This second belg failure prevented most farmers in these
areas from planting the primary staple crops of maize and sorghum, which
account for approximately 40% of total annual cereal production in
Ethiopia.  In response, many farmers attempted to cope with these unusual
conditions by planting teff and pulses as substitute crops in the hope
that the 1999 meher rains would come on time. Unfortunately, these rains
once again came late and were inconsistent and erratic for most of the
season. As a result, harvests were very poor in many areas for the second
year in a row. To compound these problems, some areas received heavy
bursts of rainfall, accompanied by hail-storms, floods and pest
infestations, which caused additional crop damages.


Households have traditionally coped with drought-like conditions by
selling household assets, such as livestock, to buy food. With the current
drought having lasted for such an extended period of time however,
thousands of households have already sold off all of their assets. In most
of the pastoral areas in the south and east of the country, the drought
dried up many of the water sources and created a shortage of fodder.  For
these reasons, a number of pastoralist communities had lost much of their
livestock (mostly draught oxen, cattle, sheep and goats) by the end of
1999. These losses have severely compromised these households' ability to
survive in 2000. Already, some communities in the Somali Region have
abandoned their homes and livestock in order to migrate to other parts of
the country, where there is a higher availability of food and water.
According to monitoring missions, five children under the age of five
years lose their lives every day in this region.  Failure of the belg
rains in 2000 will most likely result in the complete loss of all
remaining livestock, followed by dramatic increases in child mortality and
migration from the region unless emergency relief is provided in a quick
and efficient manner. Health-wise, marked increases in both chronic and
acute malnutrition rates are being reported in Konso and North Omo Zones
of SNNPR, as well as in North Gondor, North Wello and South Wello of
Amhara Region. Reduced water availability has also forced communities to
rely increasingly on unsafe water sources, which has led to a
corresponding increase in water-borne diseases such as dysentery. The one
mitigating factor has been a slight decrease in the number of malaria
cases, as mosquitoes which carry this disease have also dclined as a
result of the drought.



GOAL and OBJECTIVES

The goal is to assist communities who are affected by the current severe
drought to survive and establish sustainable livelihoods.


Objectives

Distribute food relief to families who have lost everything during the
drought

Provide live-saving nutritional food to severely malnourished children

Assist victims in re-establishing food reserves through distribution of
seeds, tools and livestock.

Through distribution of food, prevent mass displacement of people.



TARGETED AREAS, ANALYSES and BENEFICIARY INFORMATION

Ethiopia currently faces a natural disaster, which has the potential to
affect a larger number of people than either the 1984-86 or 1990-91
droughts. It is critical that ACT /JRP partners move quickly, in concert
with the Government and other relief agencies, to address this emergency
before it deteriorates into a catastrophe on the scale of the mid-1980's
famine.

ACT/JRP members have already participated in Government-led, multi-agency
needs assessment teams, which surveyed all vulnerable regions of the
country at the end of 1999. These surveys were compiled and analysed by
the Government, which launched its own nation-wide emergency relief appeal
in mid-January 2000. This appeal estimates that more than 8 million people
will require almost 900,000 MT of emergency food assistance (820,000 MT of
cereals, 20,000 MT of vegetable oil, and 59,000 MT of supplementary foods)
in 2000 alone. The figure includes approximately 350,000 internally
displaced persons (IDPs) in Tigray and Afar Regions as a result of the
Ethio-Eritrean border conflict. In addition, systems are in place to
monitor an additional 2.6 million vulnerable people, who could also
require emergency food assistance should the belg rains fail once again in
2000.

According to the Government, there was only 77,000 MT of food stock
(mostly cereals) reserves available in the country at the beginning of
2000. Thus, roughly 822,000 MT of emergency food needs to be donated by
the international community in order to meet the projected requirements.
United Nations agencies, such as the World Food Program (WFP) are planning
to address the needs of one-third of this caseload. It is important to
note that these needs are fixed regardless of whether the belg rains
arrive. Continued drought conditions during the first half of 2000 will
only increase these numbers by including the additional 2.6 million people
among those who require food assistance.

As was the case in 1984-86 and 1990-91, the ACT members must be actively
involved in meeting the above-mentioned emergency needs if a genuine
catastrophe is to be avoided. In 2000, JRP partners intend to provide
emergency relief to 765,195 vulnerable persons - about ten percent of all
the people affected by the drought. In order to meet this caseload's basic
food needs for the year, a total of 89,392 MT of food aid, (77,724 MT of
cereals, 5,528 MT of vegetable oil, and 6,140 MT of supplementary food)
will be required. A breakdown of this caseload by region, zone and tonnage
is available for those who maybe interested.

To date, only 21,080 MT of food aid from USAID through CRS (member of
JRP), has been pledged to meet the basic needs of 379,300 persons in
Amhara, Tigray and Oromia Regions for the three-month period from May-July
2000 and 1,000 MT from the Mennonite Mission for Region 5.

As this figure represents only 25% of JRP's requirements for the year,
there is urgent need for additional quantities of emergency food aid for
the hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people on the edge of survival.


Food Supply Prospects in the Crop Dependent Areas

Detailed information of the areas intended to be assisted by the ACT
members are as follows:

TIGRAY  (Region  - 1)

BASIC FACTS
Number of Zone=09=09=09=09=09=094
Meher as % of annual crop production=09over  90%
Projected rural population for mid 2000=093,072,000
estimated needy population in 2000=091,047,400
needy population as % of rural population=0934%
food aid requirement (MT)=09146,081



Weather Conditions

The Kiremt rains expected to start in most parts of the region in June
have reportedly begun three weeks to one month later.  In many woredas of
all zones rain started in mid-July too late for long cycle crops (maize
and sorghum).

Distribution and frequency of rain was erratic in all zones. During July
and August, intensive rainfall in some areas resulted in water logging,
and to a lesser extent flooding while other areas suffered from extreme
shortages of rain. Frost and hail were reported in pocket areas of all
zones and woredas bordering Afar region and Southern Tigray zone suffered
from sever rain shortage.  Withdrawal of kiremt rains in Tigray followed a
normal pattern (mid September), long before the late planted long cycle
crops attained maturity.


Agricultural activities and Crop production

Failure of the 1999 Belg rain not only affected planting of long cycle
crops but also hampered land preparation for short cycle crops such as
teff.

The impact of failure of the 1999 belg rain was significant in South
Tigray where the production of long cycle crops normally contributes to a
significant part of the food supply in the zone. Moreover, the failure of
the Belg rain also adversely affected the performance of short cycle Meher
crops in all zones of the region since these rains are vital for land
preparation.

The failure of the Belg rains, which necessitated replanting of failed
long cycle crops with short cycle ones, has resulted in an overall
reduction in yield as short cycle crops produce lower yields than the long
cycle crops.

In most areas of the region, the Meher rains stopped before the crops had
reached their seeding stage. This has mainly affected barely production in
Southern zones, where it normally accounts for up to 27% of total
production.

Weed infestation was extremely heavy throughout the region due to poor
land preparation as a result of a failure of the early rains. Estimates by
the region indicate that overall production in the region is lower than
expected.


Livestock Conditions

Large losses of livestock occurred during the first half of 1999 due to
fodder shortage associated with the failure of the Belg rains in Southern
Tigray zone.  It was reported that the number of draught oxen had
decreased compared to that of 1998.  In addition to animals lost due to
fodder shortage many were sold in order to purchase grain or repay debts.
Large number of livestock deaths and distress sales are expected to hamper
land preparation for the next planting season (Belg 2000), in parts of the
Southern zone.

In all zones availability of pasture and drinking water was generally
sufficient, and there have been no unusual outbreaks of livestock disease
reported during the last quarter of the year.  Generally, current
livestock conditions appear to be satisfactory.  The shortage of draught
animals is of serious concern in Southern zone where land preparation for
the forthcoming Belg is expected to take place as early as January 2000.


Human Health Situation

No major outbreaks of disease were reported in the region although in
Eastern and Southern Tigray, officials reported slight increase in
malnutrition.


Food situation and prospects in 2000

Tigray is one of the most chronically food insecure regions in the country
where large quantities of relief assistance is generally required every
year even during years of normal and above normal harvests.

For 2000, the food supply prospect for most parts of the region is
extremely precarious.  Failure of the 1999 Belg season has reduced food
availability in the Southern zone and has resulted in significant Meher
yield reductions in the rest of the region as well.  In addition, the
erratic weather patterns have resulted in extremely poor Meher crops.

Due to poor production and increased vulnerability in many areas of the
region, a total of 1,047,400 people are estimated to require 146,081 MT
relief food assistance in 2000, out of which 235,800 people are in South
Tigray. The project intends to assist 94,900 people.

The total food requirement to assist these people for the period is 12,300
MT of assorted food (grain - 10,677, veg. oil - 769 & supp. food 854).

Meanwhile, 4,148 MT of assorted food is allocated from USAID donation to
CRS/JRP, the shortfall is 8,152 MT (12,300 - 4,148).


NORTH AND SOUTH GONDAR

Nature of the Emergency

As per the information from the January 2000 appeal document of DPPC, the
1999 Belg season rains have completely failed over most parts of the
Amhara region.  Even in those zones that received rainfall during the
months of April and May, the amounts were very little.  In north and south
Gondar zones, significant delay was reported at the start of the main
(kiremt) rains.

After the rainy season started, excess rainfall and hailstorm were
experienced in most parts of Amhara during the months of July and August.
Although rainfall withdrew in October in most parts of the region, there
was widespread precipitation in November at a time when matured crops
(mainly teff) were ready to be harvested.

In 1999, with food obtained from the EU, distribution was made in
Janamora, Debark and Beyeda woredas of North Gondar (September -
December). The information available stress that these areas will face
major humanitarian and livestock disaster unless due response is given on
time. Since sufficient food to all project areas may not be available, it
is intended to concentrate on these same areas.

Accordingly, out of 115,756 people indicated by the DPPC in the three
woredas of North Gondar (Beyeda, Debark and Janamora), EOC intends to
assist 92,000 beneficiaries if resources are made available. The total
food requirement to cover the need is 11,924 MT (grain 10,351, supp. food
828 and veg. oil 745).

Since 4,692 MT of assorted food is allocated from the USAID donation
through CRS, the shortfall will be 7,232 MT (11,924 - 4,692).

The need in South Gondar for the planned 52,467 beneficiaries amounts to
6,801 MT.

North Wello, Wag Hamera, N. & N.W. Shewa, Bale, Borena, Illubabor,
Gambella, S. Omo and Special woredas in SNNPR.

According to the DPPC, 1,020,843 people will require food assistance in
the above stated traditional areas of the project where EECMY/LWF is the
managing agency. However, due to the limited resources and lack of
capacity at different levels, which impedes the proper implementation of
Employment Generation Schemes (EGS), EECMY/LWF intends to assist 444,250
people. The total food requirement to cover the need for the period is
51,185 MT of assorted food (grain - 44,425, veg. oil - 3,205 and supp.
food - 3,555).

Taking into account the confirmed pledge of 9,450 mt of assorted food to
EECMY/LWF operational areas, in the Amahara Region, (North Wollo Zone)
from the USAID/CRS donation, the need has been reduced to 41,735 MT
(51,185 - 9,450).


NORTH WOLLO ZONE (Region 3)

North Wollo Zone has been repeatedly experiencing food shortage during the
past two and a half decades.  The highland parts of North Wollo are highly
dependent on Belg rains, estimated to be responsible for 50% of the total
crop production.  Belg rains are also important in midland areas for land
preparation for the Meher (main rain season) as well as for the low land
areas' plantation of long cycle crops. Due to the failure of the Belg
rains and inadequate preparation of land for the Meher season the crops
planted for the Meher season short cycle have shown a significant
increase. Consequently those of long cycle and high yielding (like maize,
sorghum) have shown a drastic decline.

The reduction in maize and sorghum crops production has significant impact
on people's access to food.  Thus, prices of the major grains in most
markets in the zone have shown increases in October and November when
compared with the same months of the previous year.

Due to the drought situation, 475,857 people in North Wollo Zone need
assistance.  From this number of needy people 167,381 people are living in
Kobbo, Gubalaftu and Habru woredas of whom EECMY/LWF plan to assist 83,700
people. Total required assorted food for eight months will be 9,642 MT.


WAG-HAMRA ZONE (Region 3)

The onset of the Kiremt (main rains) was reported to be late in Wag Hamra
again. After the start of the rainy season, excess rainfall and hailstorms
in the highlands caused water logging. Late rains in October have also
caused heavy damage to short term teff crops.

The main constraints to food production this year included late or excess
rains, pests and as there has been no rain for land preparation, weed
infestation as was also reported.

As a result of this severe damage to crops and poor harvests, prices of
the major grains on markets have shown significant increases and food
supplies to the markets are unusually tight.  Fall in the prices of
livestock is significant in Wag Hamra Zone.  Abnormal levels of household
migration to other regions or woredas were reported in Wag Hamra Zone.
This is in search of employment opportunities and, as a result some closed
houses were observed in Dehena Woreda of this Zone.

From the total number of 114,966 needy people in the zone (Wag Hamra)
26,150 people and 19,200 people in Dehena and Sekota respectively are
targeted for assistance by EECMY/LWF. The total assorted food required for
eight months is 5,225 MT.


BALE and BORENA ZONES (Region 4)

In many zones of the region, poor March - May rains made land preparation
difficult. As a result, the areas planted with long-cycle high yielding
crops in most zones were reduced significantly and short maturing/lower
yielding crops were planted instead.

Although some Woredas in North Bale Zone expect good harvests, other
Woredas such as Ginir, Rayitu, Gololcha, Meda-Walabu, Goro and Bettu face
significant reduction in crop production due to the areas' exposure to
moisture stress at the critical stage. The total amount of assorted food
required is 3041 MT.

Prolonged dry spell during the Belg season has also induced shortage of
pasture and water.  This has resulted in weakening animal health that
exacerbates the high prevalence of animal diseases.  This critical
condition has led to increased animal mortality, particularly in the low
areas.

Similarly the weather conditions in Borena was alarming during the current
year.  Under normal conditions Hagaya (small rains) lasts for 45 days
(from September to November).  Abnormally in 1999, there were rains only
for five days. Even the distribution was erratic except in a few Woredas
like Borre and Uraga. Thus, crop yields in the mixed farming Woredas was
poor and below normal.

Water sources in Borena include machine-dug ephemeral ponds, the Dawa
river, cistern, traditional Ellas and deep wells or bore-holes.  All have
run out of water, as a result of four consecutive drought seasons.  This
has resulted in severe condition of livestock, on which a large number of
animals' death is reported by Woreda officials.

The severity of this situation has been indicated in the recent DPPC
appeal for this year.  There is a great need for close monitoring
including nutritional surveys, especially in the lowland of Bale and
Borena Zones where the total number of needy people are about 572,461.
From this large number of needy people, 26,400 in Bale Zone (Ginir and
Rayitu) and 98,000 people in Borena Zone (Hagere-Mariam, Yabello, Dire,
Moyale, Arero and Teltele) are planned to be assisted by EECMY/LWF. The
total amount of assorted food required for the above mentioned people for
eight months is 11,291 MT.


ILLUBABOR, NORTH & N. WEST SHEWA ZONE of OROMIYA REGION

A prolonged dry spell during the Belg season throughout much of Oromiya
Region caused shortage of pasture and water.,This negatively affected
animal health exacerbating the high prevalence of animal diseases and
subsequent increase in animal mortality rate. This was more pronounced in
areas like North and North West Shewa where a large number of livestock
died due to acute shortage of pasture and water. This drought situation
also aggravated endemic livestock disease such as tryponsomiasis causing
loss of livestock. The other chronic animal diseases, known as Foot and
Mouth Disease especially in Illubabor and East Wollega has also
exacerbated the loss of animals.

Though there were no major outbreaks of human diseases, many malaria cases
have been reported in the lowland areas of Illubabor Zone.  As coffee
plays a significant role in the lives of people in this zone, coffee Berry
Disease and the dry spell in the Belg season has negatively affected
coffee production particularly in Illubabor Zone.  This has affected the
food security prospects in coffee dependent areas.

From the total 75,900 needy people in Illubabor Zone, EECMY/LWF intends to
assist 20,000 people for eight months, which requires 2,304 MT of assorted
food.

The total number of needy people in N.West Shewa is 180,768 of which
EECMY/LWF intends to assist 25,000 people for a duration of 8 months. The
food requirement is 2,880 MT of assorted food.

In the same manner, though the need in North Shewa is very alarming and
the total number of needy people are 318,310 as per the appeal document of
DPPC, EECMY/LWF intends to assist 19,000 people in Basona-Warana Woreda of
this Zone. The amount of food needed is 2,189 MT.


GAMBELLA

Gambella is a chronically food insecure area.  Crop production is
estimated to cover only about half of the annual requirement.  At normal
times the gap is met through other food sources such as fishing, gathering
wild food and purchases mainly from the neighboring region (Oromiya).

In Gambella crops of 1999 were damaged by the overflowing river, besides
the weather irregularities and lack of access to markets for their
livestock due to the remoteness of the area.

In the affected Woredas, there are about 46,000 people who need food
assistance in the year 2000.  From the total number of people at risk,
16,800 of them are planned to be assisted by EECMY/LWF. The total required
assorted food for 8 months is 1,936 MT.


SOUTH OMO ZONE (SNNPR)

This zone has one cropping and three pastoral woredas. Both areas benefit
from bi-modal rainy seasons. For pastoral areas, the main rains are from
February to May, while the short rains begin in September and continue
until October.

The last short rains for the pastoral woredas were very poor both in
amount and distribution due to the failure of the two seasonal rains.

Food situation and prospects for the year 2000 are difficult as most areas
are remote and market points are long distances away from pastoral
settlements. Livestock prices of the pastoral areas are low and the term
of trade is generally poor, primarily due to inadequate grain supply to
the areas because of low production in the high lands this year. Due to
these prevailing conditions, 37,440 people in Hamer-Bena Woreda and 39,440
people in Kuraz of South Omo are in acute need of whom EECMY/LWF plan to
assist 40,000 people. The total requirement of assorted food for 8 months
is 4,608 MT.


SPECIAL WOREDAS of SNNPR

Though rains in both Belg and Meher seasons were favorable in the
highlands and mid-high lands of the region, the amount of rain in most
lowlands was erratic, inadequate and irregular in distribution. There was
a total failure in areas like Konso, Burji and Derashe Special Woredas.
The performances of the three successive rainy seasons have been extremely
poor and as a result, there is acute food shortage.

Due to the facts mentioned above, 157,000 people in Konso 28,500 in Burji
and 30,200 people in Derashe need relief food assistance for the next 8
months of this year. The total requirement is 24,848 MT of assorted food
to cover the need in these areas.

Out of the total number of people in need, EECMY/LWF intends to assist
70,000 people and the total amount of food required is 8,064 MT of
assorted food.


EAST HARARGHE ZONE of OROMIYA REGION

Rainfall in East Hararghe was late and erratic, with poor distribution,
which was not conducive for long cycle crop production. The effect of this
erratic rainfall, coupled with pest infestation and floods was more
pronounced in several PAs. In light of problems related to the rainfall
shortages and lower productivity in the year 2000, relief assistance will
be required for a total of 219,734 beneficiaries from April to September.
Out of these, the project through CRS plans to assist 71,578
beneficiaries. Total needs for the 6 months period will be 6,185 MT of
assorted food.


LIBEN ZONE OF SOMALI REGION

Liben is one of the nine zones of Somali Region with a population of
25,000 people. The whole region depends on two rainy seasons - the main
rains from March to May and the small season rains from September to
November.  Overall, the previous main rains were poor across the region,
with nearly total failure in woredas such as Gode, Degehabur, Karahe,
Afder and Liben. As the result of this drought situation most pastoralists
who depend on livestock production have lost more than 70% of their
animals. The severity of the drought has been repeatedly indicated in the
reports of UN agencies such as FAO and WFP and other NGOs. These reports
have confirmed that the severity of the food crisis in the woreda has
manifested itself in malnutrition, death and incidence of diseases.

The terms of trade for the pastoralists remained poor and the current
price of grains is high. The average price of sorghum and maize is 260
ETB/Quintal, whereas last year at the same time the price was 120
ETB/Quintal.

The food situation in the region has deteriorated significantly in the
last few months and it needs a continuous and regular relief intervention.

The Mennonite Mission is providing 1,000 MT of grain through EECMY/SES to
assist 10,000 people in Liben Woreda for a period of 8 months.



DESCRIPTION OF TARGETED ASSISTANCE

The Government policy on disaster prevention and management was introduced
in 1995.  The implementation modalities are Food For Work (FFW),
Employment Generating Scheme (EGS) and Employment Based Safety Net (EBSN).
The set targets to be achieved in areas needing food assistance are 80%
through EGS (relief food for work) and the remaining through Gratuitous
Relief Program (Free distribution).  The target is planned to be achieved
in five years.

Linking relief and rehabilitation with development by involving the
beneficiaries in some nature of labor intensive activities have already
been started in food deficit areas where and when it is possible. Although
the mode of implementation varies from one area to another, free food
distribution is usually discouraged unless the situation calls for an
absolute emergency assistance.

It bears mention that the technical advice for all the projects intended
to be implemented is to be provided by the line Ministries and other
related Government bodies in the different areas of operation. ACT members
in the field have been discussing with the concerned government officials,
the DPPC policy of implementing the relief food distribution through EGS
activities.


TARGETED Beneficiaries

Ethiopia is primarily a rural agricultural society, which gives 80% of the
employment in the country but food production has lagged behind population
growth. As the beneficiaries in the project areas are mainly dependent on
subsistence agriculture, food production in most cases does not cover the
food requirement of a family. Some beneficiaries are also pastoralists and
agro-pastoralists.

The most needy family members will be targeted with close co-ordination of
the local DPP committee and the line departments.

The number of beneficiaries included in this appeal is 755,195 which
represents 52% of the total estimated people affected in the specific
areas of operation due to the Meher and Belg season insufficient
production as per the DPPC appeal.

Group leaders who are contact persons for 10 households in a peasant
association will make the selection of the most needy people among the ten
households. Then the group leader information will be collected by the
peasant association for evaluation in the presence of the whole community.
The main factors in the selection is whether a family possesses assets
such as ploughing oxen, sheep, goat. The DPP committee at PA level will
register the most needy beneficiaries and will forward the list to the
woreda committee for final approval. The ACT/JRP members will work closely
with the woreda committees to ensure better targeting.



Emergency Assistance AND IMPLEMENTATION

The food need estimated within the ACT/JRP traditional areas of operation
for the remaining months of 2000, taking into account the 21,080 MT
donated by USAID and 1,000 MT by the Mennonite Mission is 67,312 MT of
assorted food (grain 58,124 MT, Oil 4,908 MT and supp. food 4,280 MT).

The need at national level based on the DPPC estimate was 8 million people
and the food requirement was 821,853 MT assorted food.

Of special importance is the fact that loans can not be taken from the
Ethiopian Food Security Reserve Administration (EFSRA) this year as it has
already run out of stock.



Transition from emergency

The project is also planning to distribute seeds and farm tools to the
farmers, depending on the contributions for the non-food component of this
appeal.


Project Administration, Finance, Monitoring, Reporting

Project Administration

The project has well-established infrastructure at local level and the
implementation is done with the community in consultation with the local
government. Therefore the community and the local government will take
care of activities that need continuation after the termination of the
program.

The assorted food commodities requested are to be imported. The food
commodities will be handled according to ACT and other donor regulations
and procedures.

In addition to the food, the Internal Transport Storage and Handling
(ITSH) cost of USD 145 per MT is also essential for successful
implementation of the program.



Reporting requirements

The distribution teams report to their respective head offices in Addis
Ababa on a monthly basis and the reports will include:

Daily commodity movement report

Monthly Commodity reports (the amount of food distributed and received
during the reporting period)


Stock position report

Number of beneficiaries assisted and participated in the EGS

Summary of EGS accomplished during the month

Information on market, rainfall, health and other situations.



After a complete distribution of each donation (by operation no.) the
final distribution report will be submitted.


Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation

The program will be evaluated regularly for its regular distribution,
adherence to the ration rate, the number of beneficiaries assisted, the
amount of food distributed, the store management, the EGS implemented and
the beneficiaries attitude towards the program.

The program will be monitored regularly by the concerned staff at the
local level under regular supervision of the Head Office staff and special
attention will be paid to "impact" monitoring.



Implementation Time Table

The overall period for food distribution has been planned for between
April and December 2000, with distribution periods varying according to
the needs in any given area. The actual implementation of the program will
however depend on the availability of the food.


Co-ordination


In order to ensure smooth coordination for the implementation of the
program, the areas needing assistance have been allocated among the
different ACT/JRP partners according to their already existing
infrastructures as follows:


S. TIGRAY ZONE=09=09=09=09-=09=09ECC

N. & S. GONDAR=09=09=09=09-=09=09EOC

N.WELLO, WAG HAMERA, BALE,
BORENA, ILLUBABOR,
GAMBELLA & SNNPR, SHOA,=09=09=09-=09=09EECMY/LWF
REGION 5, SOMALIA - LIBEN=09=09=09=09=09EECMY

EASTERN HARARGHE=09=09=09=09-=09=09CRS

The ACT /JRP partners have well-established infrastructure in all areas
included in this project backed by their long experience in relief and
rehabilitation activities. The existing infrastructure will be used to
execute this project.

As per JRP policy, all food donations obtained go into the "JRP food pool"
and then distributed depending on the latest priority areas as indicated
and agreed upon with the DPPC.  However, "earmarked" donations for
specific areas or specific partners are respected by the JRP if that is
the expressed wish of the donor.

Each consignee either for food or earmarked cash donations remains
responsible for reporting back to the donors. Donations to the EOC should
thus be earmarked accordingly.

The JRP has a co-ordination office with the necessary personnel. The
partners have existing staff working at all levels including the
distribution teams that will be employed from each locality.

The members will make sure that the food commodities are received at the
final distribution centres where trained staff will undertake the
distribution with the community representatives.

All ACT members in Ethiopia will be kept fully informed of the program.

Ration rate
Grain=09=0912.5 kg/person/month
Veg. Oil=09 0.9 kg/person/month
Supp. food=09 1.0 kg/person/month

EGS ration
Grain=09=0960.0 kg/family/month    ( 3.0 kg/person/day)
Veg. Oil=09 4.5 kg/family/month    ( 0.9 kg/person/month)
=09
The Supplementary food which is high in protein content e.g. Corn-Soya
blend, Corn-Soya milk, Faffa, Berta or Pulses are especially important for
the children. Thus in the areas where malnutrition is identified,
additional supply of supplementary food will be required.

=09=09-    No. of family is estimated to be 5 persons
=09Note:  =09The No. of working days is estimated to be 20 days

Logistics
The partner for whom the food is consigned, is responsible for the clearanc=
e of the food from the port and transportation of the food to the Primary D=
estination Points (PDPs) and occasionally to its final destination. The ACT=
/JRP partners operate by deploying trucks from private truck owners to tran=
sport the allocated food to their respective areas. The partners use for st=
orage, the warehouses in the areas made available by the government and the=
 communities and also their own warehouses and rub-hall tents. However, som=
etimes the partners may also need to rent a warehouse.

Health
The ACT/JRP partners, individually, in their respective areas of operation =
assist the people in need of health assistance depending on the availabilit=
y of medicines and medical supplies from their donors using their own exist=
ing infrastructures and also in collaboration with the government Hospitals=
, Health Centers & Clinics.


NON-FOOD ITEMS

This section of the appeal contains the EECMY/LWF and EOC's proposal for
non-food items such as seeds, farm tools, fertilizers, oxen and fund for
water provision in the pastoral areas.

The types of seeds included are only those which are fit for the Meher
(main rainy) season. As the Belg (short rains) season is drawing nearer
(due to start at end of February and end at the beginning of May), seeds
for the Belg season have not been included here.

Among the seeds are Teff, Maize, Sorghum and Wheat, which grow in the
lowland and semi-lowland areas.

The other very important items, which are included in this section of the
appeal, are the farm-hand tools. These tools play a major role in the life
of crop producing farmers of rural Ethiopia, especially in the lowland
areas where draft animals such as oxen and horses are severely affected by
trypanosomiasis, the disease that kills those very important draft animals
mercilessly.

The appeal also includes fertilizers, a vital component that goes with
seeds. As most of the Ethiopian farmlands are over-used and poor, the soil
needs fertilizers for the crops to give enough yields. The other component
of this appeal is funds for the provision of water and purchase of fodder
for the animals. Water provision program is crucial for the pastoral areas
of Borena and Bale Zones of the Oromia Regional State, where all water
sources have dried up due to the consecutive droughts during the last
three years.


These items will be distributed on free handout basis:

As they are only for the severely drought stricken members of the
communities and

As there is no clear policy that allows the NGOs to be involved in credit
scheme activities. The administrative costs needed to implement this
program are included in the appeal.



Beneficiaries - screening of those who are eligible for this assistance
will be the responsibility of the respective Woreda Disaster Prevention
and Preparedness Committees.

Project staff will be involved in the actual distribution of the items in
collaboration with the respective Synods.

The EECMY/LWF operation areas include North and South Wollo, North Shewa
zones of Amhara Region, North West Shewa, Bale, Borena and Illubabor zones
of Oromia Region, Gambella Region and South Omo and Special Woredas of
Southern Nations, Nationalities and peoples Administrative Region
(SNNPAR).

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) will cover areas in the Amhara Region.


A C R O N Y M S

Belg=09=09Short rainy season
BFW=09=09Bread for the World
CA=09=09Christian Aid
CRS=09=09Catholic Relief Service
DAP=09=09Development Activity Proposal
DCA=09=09Dan Church Aid
DIA=09=09Dutch Inter Church Aid
DPPB=09=09Disaster Prevention & Preparedness Bureau
DPPC=09=09Disaster Prevention & Preparedness Commission
ECC=09=09Ethiopian Catholic Church
EECMY=09=09Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus
EECMY/SCES=09Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus/South Central
=09=09=09Ethiopia Synod
E O C=09=09Ethiopian Orthodox Church
EFSRA=09=09Ethiopian Food Security Reserve Administration
EGS=09=09Employment Generation Scheme
FACS=09=09Food Assisted Child Survival
FAO=09=09Food and Agricultural Organization
HCS=09=09Hararghe Catholic Secretariat
JRP=09=09Joint Relief Partnership
LWF/DWS/ET=09Lutheran World Federation Department of World Service/ Ethiopi=
a
Meher=09=09Long rainy season
NCA=09=09Norwegian Church Aid
ORDA=09=09Organization for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara
PA=09=09Peasant Association
SNNPR=09=09Southern Nation Nationalities Peoples Region
SCF/UK=09=09Save the Children/United Kingdom
UN/WFP=09=09United Nations/World Food Program
USAID=09=09United States Aid



XII.=09BUDGETS

Pledges received from ACT Network members=09USD
Danchurchaid=09DKK   2,000,000=09257,000
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America=09150,000
Lutheran World Relief=09=09105,000
Norwegian Church Aid=09NKK 10,000,000=091,184,950
Total Pledges=09=091,696,950=09=09=09=09
XII.1=09=09ACT-EECMY/LWS & EOC  ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE

=09Description=09Type of=09No of=09Unit Cost=09Budget =09Budget
=09=09Unit=09Units=09Eth Birr/ US$=09Eth Birr=09US$
DIRECT ASSISTANCE (Relief food)=09=09
Grain=09     =09=09=09      MT=09=0958,124=09=09       130=09=09          7=
,556,120
=09Oil=09MT=094,908=09840=09=094,122,720
=09Supplementary Food=09MT=094,280=092,150=09=099,202,000
=09sub total=09=09=09=09 =0920,880,840
=09=09=09=09=09=09
TRANSPORT, STORAGE, WAREHOUSING & HANDLING=09=09=09
=09Port charges Djibouti=09MT=0967,312=0913=09=09875,056
=09Survey charges=09MT=0967,312=092=09=09134,624
=09Transport Djibouti to A.A.=09MT=0967,312=0974=09=094,981,088
=09Secondary transports=09MT=0967,312=0950=09=093,365,600
=09Primary Warehouse charges=09MT=0967,312=091=09=0967,312
=09Secondary warehouse charges=09MT=0967,312=091=09=0967,312
=09Unloading primary warehouse=09MT=0967,312=092=09=09134,624
=09Unloading secondary warehous=09MT=0967,312=092=09=09134,624
=09sub total=09=09=09=09=099,760,240
=09=09=09=09=09=09
PERSONNEL, OPERATIONAL COSTS , ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT=09=09
=09Salaries & Benefits (Addis Abeba)=09=09=09=09
=09Director 25%=09months=0912=09=09=0930,000
=09Finance Director 40%=09months=0912=09=09=0930,000
=09Relief coordinator=09months=0912=094,000=0948,000=096,000
=09Logistics coordinator =09months=0912=093,000=0936,000=094,500
=09Logistics assistants - 2=09months=0912=093,000=0936,000=094,500
=09Field supervisors - 3=09months=0912=096,000=0972,000=099,000
=09Secretaries - 3=09months=0912=096,000=0972,000=099,000
=09Drivers - 5=09months=0912=096,000=0972,000=099,000
=09Accountant=09months=0912=093,000=0936,000=094,500
=09Insurance &termination benefits=0920 %=09 =09=0974,400=099,300
=09Staff Travel=09=09=09=09=09
=09Hotel and per diems 5 persons=0910days/month=0912=09=0948,000=096,000
=09Airtickets Combolcha
=09& Dire Dawa =09trips=0915=09=098,000=091,000
=09Communications=09lump sum=09=09=09100,000=0912,500
=09Office supplies =09months=0912=093,340=0940,080=095,010
Vehicle Operations=09=09=09=09=09
=09Field vehicles 2000km/months
=09 9 months 6km/ltr=09km/months=0915,000=092=0930,000=093,750
=09Oil & lubricants- 20% of fuel costs=09=09=096,000=09750
=09Maintenance & care=09months=099=0925,000=09225,000=0928,125
=09sub total=09=09=09=09=09172,935
=09Description=09Type of=09No of=09Unit Cost=09Budget =09Budget
=09=09Unit=09Units=09Eth Birr/ US$=09Eth Birr=09US$
=09
=09Audit fees =09lump sum=09=09=09=093,000
=09=09=09=09=09=09
SYNOD LEVEL=09=09=09=09=09
=09Salaries & Benefits (Dessie Main Office)=09=09=09=09=09Relief coordinato=
r=09months=0912=092,000=0924,000=093,000
=09Logistics coordinator=09months=0912=091,500=0918,000=092,250
=09Secretary=09months=0912=091,000=0912,000=091,500
=09Driver=09months=0912=09800=099,600=091,200
=09Accountant=09months=0912=091,000=0912,000=091,500
=09EGS Supervisor=09months=0912=091,500=0918,000=092,250
=09EGS Assistants - 5=09months=098=095,000=0940,000=095,000
=09Insurance & Termination benefits =09Lump sum=09=09=09=093,340
=09Sub total=09=09=09=09=0920,040
=09=09=09=09=09=09
=09Salaries & Benefits (by distribution =09Zones - each team is made
up of 8 people)=09=09=09Wag Hamra x 8 months=09team=092=0922,840=0945,680=
=095,710
=09North Wello x 8 months=09team=099=0922,840=09205,560=0925,695
=09Bale x 8 months=09team=092=0922,840=0945,680=095,710
=09Borena x 8 months=09team=096=0922,840=09137,040=0917,130
=09South Omo x 8 months=09team=092=0922,840=0945,680=095,710
=09Konso x 8 months=09team=092=0922,840=0945,680=095,710
=09Derashe x 8 months=09team=091=0922,840=0922,840=092,855
=09Burji 8 x months=09team=091=0922,840=0922,840=092,855
=09N.West Shewa x 8 months=09team=093=0922,840=0968,520=098,565
=09Illubabor x 8 months=09team=092=0922,840=0945,680=095,710
=09Insurance & termin. Benefits 20% of salaries=09=09=09137,040=0917,130
=09Vehicle Operations=09=09=09=09=09
=09Rent of Synods Relief Vehicles=09=09=09=09=09
=099 vehicles 8 months @
=092000km month=09vehicles=099=0964,000=09576,000=0972,000
=09Oil and lubricants - 20% fuel costs=09=09=09115,200=0914,400
=09Other=09=09=09=09=09
=09Communications,
=09Stationery, utilities - 9 offices=09months=098=099,000=0972,000=099,000
=09Follow-up, Coord - 9 offices=09months=098=096,385=0951,080=096,385
=09Sub total=09=09=09=09=09204,565
=09
EECMY/LWF NON FOOD ITEMS
=09Seeds=09MT=09450=093,205=091,442,250=09180,281
=09Fertilizers=09MT=09150=093,300=09495,000=0961,875
=09Tools=09Pieces=0952,500=0916=09840,000=09105,000
=09Oxen=09Heads=091,000=09800=09800,000=09100,000
=09Horses=09Heads=091,000=09400=09400,000=0950,000
=09Pond Excavation=09Lump sum=09=09=092,000,000=09250,000
=09Transport (material and water)=09Lump sum=09=09=09558,000=0969,75
Sub total=09=09=09=09=09816,906
=09=09=09=09=09=09
Emergency Management Training=09=091% of expend. excl. food &  rel. costs=
=09=0912,174
=09=09=09=09=09=09
TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE (Budget XII.1)=09=09=09=09US$  31,870,701

=09=09

XII.2=09=09=09ACT-EOC ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE (Non Food Items)

Description=09Type of=09No of=09Unit Cost=09Budget =09Budget
=09=09Unit=09Units=09Eth Birr/ US$=09Eth Birr=09US$
DIRECT ASSISTANCE=09=09=09=09=09
=09Non Food Items=09=09=09=09=09
=09Seeds=09Mt=09110=093,205=09352,550=0944,069
=09Fertilizers=09Mt=09150=093,300=09495,000=0961,875
=09Tools=09various pieces=097,500=0916=09120,000=0915,000
=09sub total=09=09=09=09=09120,944
=09=09=09=09=09=09
TRANSPORT, STORAGE, WAREHOUSING & HANDLING=09=09=09
=09Transport=09lump sum=09=09=0930,000=093,750
=09=09=09=09=09=09
PERSONNEL, OPERATIONAL COSTS , ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT=09=09
=09Salaries & benefits by distribution zones=09=09=09=09
=09Wag Hamra x 2 teams=09months=099=098,286=0974,574=099,322
=09Gondar x 2 teams=09months=099=098,286=0974,574=099,322
=09Insurance &termination benefits=0920% of salaries=09=09=0929,830=093,729
=09Other=09=09=09=09=09
=09Travel expenses=09=09=09=0965,000=098,125
=09Office supplies =09lump sum=09=09=0930,000=093,750
=09Vehicle Operations=09=09=09=09=09
=09Fuel & Lubricants=09lump sum=09=09=0942,000=095,250
=09Maintenance =09lump sum=09=09=0980,000=0910,000
=09sub total=09=09=09=09=0949,497
=09=09=09=09=09=09
=09Co-ordination -Addis head office=09lump sum=09=09=0953,000=096,625
=09Co-ordination -JRP office=09lump sum=09=09=0920,000=092,500
=09sub total=09=09=09=09=099,125
=09=09=09=09=09=09
Emergency Management Training=09=091% of expenditure =09=09=091,833
=09=09=09=09=09=09
TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE (Budget XII.2)=09=09=09185,149
=09=09=09=09=09=09


SUMMARY OF APPEAL TARGETS=09=09US$

=09XII.1 LWS/EECMY (Food & non-food) EOC (Food)=09=0931,870,701=09
=09XII.2 EOC (Non-food)=09=09=09=09=09=09=09     185,149=09=09Add: ACT Eval=
uation Costs=09=09=09=09=09=09       28,295

Total ACT Appeal Target=09=09=09=09=09=0932,084,145



- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide network of churches and
their related agencies, meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency
response.  The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of
Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


   Ecumenical Centre                          Phone: ++41-22-791.60.33
   150, route de Ferney                         Fax: ++41-22-791.65.06
   1211 Geneva 2                              Telex: 415 730 OIK CH
   Switzerland                                 http://www.act-intl.org



distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
Disaster Information Center               lists: www.vita.org/listsub.htm
                                                     sitreps   nat-dsr
      web: www.vita.org                              fireline
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -