OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Ethiopia's Somali Region: Floods
6 November 2006


This report is based on information received from OCHA Ethiopia .

Situation

1. According to reports from regional authorities over the weekend, 
Mustahil and Kelafo woredas were the areas most severely affected by the 
flooding. These areas are inaccessible by road. In all of Somali Region, 
67 mortalities were reported and approximately 200,000 people were 
affected by the flooding. Flooding washed away livestock and damaged 
infrastructure, including bridges and roads. The water level in the 
affected areas, however, is currently receding by half - to 6 meters on 
6 November, from the previous 12 meters reported on 3 November.

National and International Response

2. A team led by the Deputy Prime Minister is finalising an assessment 
report on the flood-affected areas. The Deputy prime Minister and the 
Somali Regional President requested urgent intervention/assistance from 
all humanitarian organisations working in the region.

Gode zone

- UNICEF transported relief non-food items by plane, including: 1,000 
plastic sheets (4x5m), jerry cans, soaps, 1,000 plastic basins, 2,000 
plastic plates, 2,000 plastic cups, plastic jugs, 1,000 cooking pots, 
1,000 aluminium ladles, bp5, 7 essential drug kits, 1,200 jerry cans and 
water purification materials.

- Rescue efforts are ongoing in Mustahil and Kelafo woredas using boats 
funded by the Ogaden Welfare Development Association.

- The regional livestock, crop and natural resources development bureau 
and members of the regional flood emergency technical committee have 
prepared a livestock health emergency intervention plan.  Livestock 
drugs are a critical need. The regional bureau has also requested a 
veterinary team to be deployed to Mustahil and Kelafo woredas.

- A regional flood taskforce meeting held on 6 November in Gode 
identified gaps and coordinate relief efforts on the ground.

Afder zone

- Concern Ethiopia, in partnership with Mother and Child Development 
Organization (MCDO), a Somali-based local NGO, plans to transport 32 Mt. 
Corn Soya Blend (CSB) to West Imi town for distribution that will target 
children under five, pregnant and lactating mothers. It also plans to 
provide non-food items and additional CSB.

Gaps in the response

- Access to the affected areas. Due to inaccessibility, transportation 
of relief materials to the affected areas by road is a considerable 
challenge. Airlifting of supplies should be considered.

- Coordinated rescue efforts should be facilitated and continued 
provision of relief food and non-food assistance should be undertaken.

- Essential drugs, insecticide treated nets, plastic sheeting and water 
treatment chemicals have to be provided to the people affected.

- More consistent coordination and information sharing is required at 
all levels.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only:
Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers
  GVA - Mr. Martijn Viersma
    E-mail: viersmam@un.org
    Direct Tel.+41-22-917 1518
  NYC - Ms. Olla Hassan
    E-mail:  hassano@un.org
    Direct Tel. + 1-917 367 4331

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel. +1-917-367 51 26

OCHA Ethiopia
  Mr. Fidele Sarassoro, E-mail: fidele.sarassoro@undp.org
    Humanitarian Coordinator, Tel. +251-11-544 44 83
  Mr. Paul Hebert, E-mail: hebert@un.org
    Head of Office, OCHA, Tel: +251-11-551 37 25

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    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
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