U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR) OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA) ETHIOPIA - Drought Fact Sheet #2, Fiscal Year (FY) 2000 May 17, 2000
Numbers Affected - According to official estimates of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (GFDRE), approximately 8.3 million people, especially pastoralists located in the south and east, are currently affected by the drought in Ethiopia. However, an additional 2.5 million farmers may now also face food insecurity due to the failure of the secondary harvest in April. - Once the GFDRE's Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC) completes its assessment of secondary harvest areas later this month, it will issue an updated number for affected populations and readjusted food aid requirements for the rest of the calendar year. The UN is also expected to release an updated list of needs in Ethiopia based on a rapid reassessment of the Somali region. This new information will be included as part of the UN appeal for the drought in the entire Horn of Africa, scheduled for release later this month. Current Situation - Weather: According to USAID's Famine Early Warning System (FEWS), rain has fallen in many areas of the country, including the worst affected areas in the southeast, since mid-April. The impact of these rains varies by location and the effect on nutrition rates and long-term food security remains to be seen. Some areas of Oromiya region suffered flooding from these rains, and additional cattle losses have been reported in Somali region due to gorging on new grasses. - However, the rains have reportedly benefited pastures and livestock in other parts of the region, and certain water sources have been replenished. Although too late for the secondary harvest, these rains may provide more favorable conditions for a long cycle harvest in northern Ethiopia. - Southern Ethiopia: The zones of Gode, Fik, and Korahai (Somali region) remain the worst affected. Parts of Oromiya Region and the SNNPR (particularly North Omo Zone) also remain vulnerable. - UNICEF recently reported 20 cases of bloody diarrhea resistant to normal treatment in Gode town (Gode Zone). The UN World Health Organization (WHO) is sending staff to assist with diagnosis and treatment of these cases, which are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions in the town. - As a correction to a previously reported percentage, Action Contre la Faim (ACF) states that global malnutrition rates in certain areas of Korahai zone range from 15-30%, with severe malnutrition rates between 5-7%. However, these estimates are based on rapid assessments using the Mid-Upper-Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurement method and are not necessarily representative of the nutritional status of the entire zone. Save the Children Fund (SCF)/UK reports the high prevalence of malnutrition in Fik zone, partially due to the arrival of migrating pastoralists already weakened from lack of food and substantial travel. - The UN is currently conducting a security assessment in the Somaali region and plans to improve communications in the area by establishing a coordination office in Gode. - Northern Ethiopia: On May 11, the UN Development Program's (UNDP) Emergency Unit for Ethiopia (EUE) reported an outbreak of anthrax in western Afar region and in the Oromiya Zone of Amhara Region. An estimated 51 people have died in one village to date. The EUE has recommended immediate action by the GFDRE's Ministry of Health -- with support from the WHO and/or other agencies -- to investigate this outbreak and prevent its extension to additional areas. USAID/Ethiopia is monitoring the situation. - Border conflict: Following the stalemated peace talks between Ethiopia and Eritrea on May 5, a delegation from the UN Security Council (UNSC) traveled to the region in an effort to resume negotiations, but to no avail. As of early Friday, May 12, heavy fighting was reported in the three areas of Badme, Zalambessa, and Bure along the shared border. - On May 15, Ethiopians demonstrated and threw rocks in front of the British High Commission and the U.S. Embassy to denounce an arms embargo on both countries currently proposed by the UNSC in response to the renewed fighting. - Insecurity, lack of access, and poor logistical coordination remain the major constraints to systematic food distribution in Ethiopia. Effective targeting for distribution is also an issue. Local officials in Oromiya region state that no food assistance has been received in certain locations in over two months, and that the food needs of only 37% of the affected population are currently being met. U.S. Government Response - Emergency Food Aid: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced plans to procure an additional 175,000 tons of emergency food commodities for Ethiopia for this calendar year. - As a result of this announcement, total planned emergency food assistance for Ethiopia through USAID's Office of Food For Peace (FFP) and USDA now equals 605,510 tons valued at more than $240 million. (Including an additional 61,000 tons that are planned to support ongoing development programs in the country, total USG food assistance to Ethiopia for this fiscal year amounts to $277.8 million.) - In response to concerns over lack of adequate protein intake in the longer term for Ethiopia's population, USAID/FFP's Emergency Response (ER) division has stated that it is prepared to provide pulses, sorghum, and soya fortified cornmeal as part of its food assistance program. - Non-Food Relief Activities: In fiscal year (FY) 2000 to date, USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has committed an estimated $10.2 million to fund emergency water/sanitation, health, nutrition, and logistical support programs in Ethiopia. This latest funding figure includes an estimated $1.75 million contributed to WFP to rehabilitate the road extending from the port of Djibouti to the Ethiopian border. This road repair will substantially decrease driving time needed to transport food to primary distribution points as well as increase the number of heavy trucks that the road can accommodate. - The most recent grants awarded by USAID/OFDA provide funds for emergency programs in water, nutrition, and distribution of seeds and tools. With USAID/OFDA funding, SCF/UK plans to establish six supplementary feeding centers (SFCs) in Wag Hamero zone (Amhara region) and eight SFCs and one therapeutic feeding center (TFC) in Fik zone (Somali region). - From May 1-16, the Director of USAID/OFDA, the head of USAID/FFP/ER, and other staff members visited Ethiopia to assess the drought situation and make recommendations on future USG response activities. - Based on the changing situation and recent rains, USAID/Addis Ababa will develop a new contingency plan in late May that will include updated forecasts, harvest predictions, and priority needs. Relief Efforts - Coordination in Addis Ababa is reportedly improving. Regular meetings are being chaired by UN lead agencies or the DPPC in sectors such as nutrition, health, and logistics. - Total food assistance reported as currently available for drought response, including carryover stocks, pledges, and locals purchases, equals 798,162 tons. - On May 16, the European Union (EU) announced euros 3.29 million ($ 3 million) for provision of drinking water, basic health care, and food and non-food commodities to drought-affected populations in southeast Ethiopia. This donation is in addition to two million euros ($1.8 million) in emergency humanitarian aid previously allocated this year. - Improperly functioning bagging equipment and insufficient numbers of long haul trucks are reportedly impeding the discharge of food and commodities at the port of Djibouti. Part of the truck availability issue stems from the GFDRE's recent initiative to mobilize all private sector trucks through the DPPC for use in transport of humanitarian assistance. Trucking companies already under contract with various relief organizations are confused as to which commitment to honor. USAID/OFDA has deployed a logistics specialist to report on these issues and recommend solutions. Background - As a result of three years of drought conditions, an estimated 8.3 million people are currently at risk of food insecurity in Ethiopia. The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing border conflict with Eritrea, which has created vulnerable refugee and internally displaced populations in both countries. - The drought is currently affecting most countries in the Horn of Africa, primarily Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, and Djibouti. However, Ethiopia, chronically food insecure, is by far the worst affected country in the region. - Relief efforts have been continuously hampered by lack of adequate infrastructure, poor coordination amongst governmental and relief organizations at the field level, and insecurity in various parts of the country. - Because Ethiopia is land-locked, food and relief commodities must be trucked from the ports of Djibouti and Berbera (Somalia) to the Ethiopian border. U.S. Government Assistance - The following table summarizes USG funding to date in response to the drought in Ethiopia. USG Agency Partner Project Dollar Implementing (if applicable) Sector/Region Amount USAID/OFDA ACF Water/Nutrition Somali $ 664,103 ARC Nutrition Amhara $ 473,811 CARE Water/Livestock Oromiya $ 879,887 CISP Water Oromiya $ 332,589 Concern Water/Nutrition SNNPRS $ 456,370 COOPI Water Oromiya $ 346,004 CRS Logistical Support Somali $ 48,832 ICRC Nutrition Somali $1,000,000 IRC Water Somali $ 590,933 SCF/UK Water/Nutrition Somali $9 05,445 SCF/UK Nutrition Amhara $ 452,267 SCF/US Water Somali $ 592,577 UNDP-EUE Monitoring/Coordination Ethiopia $ 150,000 USAID/Addis Ababa Administrative costs N/A $ 47,600 USAID/Addis Ababa In-kind Contributions Somali $ 340,291 WFP Airlift Somali $ 81,000 WFP Port Improvements Djibouti $ 600,000 WFP Road Rehabilitation Djibouti $1,750,000 World Vision Agriculture Amhara $ 330,447 Administrative Costs N/A $ 141,438 Total USAID/OFDA $10,183,594 USAID/FFP and USDA N/A Food Assistance All affected $241,272,586* regions Total USG $251,456,180 * This dollar figure represents emergency food assistance designated for both drought and war-affected/displaced victims, but does not include additional food aid planned for this year to support development programs (valued at $36,551,500). Public Donation Information - In the interest of effective coordination of public response, we encourage concerned citizens to provide monetary donations to appropriate organizations. USAID encourages the public to contact directly those private voluntary organizations (PVOs) currently working in the region to provide monetary donations. A list of relevant PVOs may be obtained from the USAID web site (www.info.usaid.gov). The list is composed of PVOs that are registered with USAID and/or listed by InterAction, a coalition of voluntary humanitarian and development organizations that work overseas. Information can also be obtained via InterAction's web site at www.interaction.org. Those interested in providing specific technical services or commodities should contact Volunteers in Technical Assistance's (VITA) Disaster Information Center for information and guidelines at (703) 276-1914. For more information on the USG's response to the drought in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, please refer to USAID's "Horn of Africa - Drought" information bulletins. USAID/OFDA fact sheets and information bulletins can be obtained from the USAID web site at http://www.info.usaid.gov/hum_response/ofd distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: www.vita.org/listsub.htm sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -