OCHA Situation Report No. 9
Ethiopia: Flooding in Somali Region
5 December 2006


This report is based on information received from OCHA Ethiopia(1) .

Situation

1. The helicopter flights commenced distributing much needed non-food 
and food items to communities made inaccessible by the floods. The first 
two flights carrying relief arrived in Mustahil on Thursday 30 November. 
Representatives from the Regional Disaster Prevention and Preparedness 
Bureau, the Health Bureau, WFP, UNDSS and OCHA accompanied the flight to 
access possible landing sites and distribution arrangements in the area.
>From the air, the water had receded, huge areas of mud and stagnant 
water, however, remain between Kelafo and Mustahil. Reports indicate 
that some of the displaced are now moving back to their homes in 
Mustahil.

2. Due to the continuing uncertain security situation in the region and 
newly regained access to kebeles in Mustahil woreda by road, it was 
decided that the helicopters should only land in Mustahil airfield. The 
Head of Mustahil woreda administration stated that distribution to 
surrounding affected kebeles could be carried out by car or truck as 
several areas were now accessible.

3. Other areas of concern include West Gode and East and West Imi 
woredas. Accessibility remains a challenge to West Gode. Apart from 450 
non-food item (NFI) kits delivered by the Adventist Development and 
Relief Agency (ADRA) no assistance has so far reached the area. Access 
to East is still only possible through West Imi woreda, one and a half 
days by road from Gode town. Many kebeles are now accessible and reports 
from UNICEF indicate that the displaced are now returning to their 
homes.

4. While Acute Watery Diarrahoea (AWD) cases have stabilised in two 
treatment centres run by MERLIN in West Imi town and Soufle kebele, 
cases continue to spread in the region.  Twenty four AWD suspected 
deaths have been reported by MERLIN since 25 November in Jiq, 70 kms 
from West Imi town and the Regional Health Bureau team in East Imi 
woreda continue to report high incidence of diarrhoeal disease. In 
addition, 504 cases with 45 deaths are officially reported in Mustahil, 
Kelafo, West Imi, Dolobay, Dolo Odo and Moyale woredas.

National and International Response

5. WFP/Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency have started 
distributing food to one of the four distribution sites in Mustahil. The 
remaining three sites are still not fully accessible but alternative 
sites are being used in the interim.

6. Approximately 900 blankets and 40 packages of plastic sheeting 
supplied by UNICEF were delivered to Mustahil by helicopter on 30 
November. These non-food items will be transported to affected areas 
around Mustahil by road. The helicopters will transport relief-items 
according to the flight plan for the coming days.

7. A reconnaissance flight for landing-site assessment and distribution 
arrangements was carried out in West and East Imi woredas on Sunday 3 
November.

8. ADRA will distribute 2,400 kits donated by IRC in the district. 
Moreover, ADRA is distributing 25,000 bottles of water guard while CHF 
is conducting awareness training on the use of water guard.

9. UNICEF plans to deploy a water purification unit in West Imi woreda 
next week. It will be operated by a local NGO.

10. Over the weekend, a telethon organised by the Disaster Prevention 
and Preparedness Agency managed to secure over 100 million ETB (appr. 
US$ 11.5 million) for the flood response. The President, Prime Minister, 
the Deputy Prime Minister and other high officials were all in 
attendance.

Gaps in the Response

11. The provision of clean water in affected areas through deployment of 
more water purification units and distribution of water guard is needed. 
Supply of safe water is crucial for preventing the spread of water borne 
disease such as AWD.

12. The livestock and agriculture sub-committee of the Gode Joint 
Taskforce needs to be strengthened.

13. MERLIN is looking for support for AWD interventions in West Imi 
woreda.

Footnote

(1) The information in this document is consolidated from reports and 
field information from a variety of sources including UN agencies, NGOs 
and government partners.

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, Humanitarian Coordinator
    E-mail: fidele.sarassoro@undp.org, Tel. +251-11-544 44 83

  Mr. Vincent Lelei, Deputy Head of Office
    E-mail: lelei@un.org, Tel: +251-11-55 44 4155

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