OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
26 November 2004


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

POLIO IN SUDAN THREATENS ETHIOPIA'S POLIO-FREE STATUS

Following the Sub-National Immunization Days (SNIDs) which started on 22 
October to immunize 750,000 children under five years of age in 21 
selected woredas in Oromia Region, the Ethiopian health authorities with 
support from UNICEF and WHO will conduct an emergency polio immunization 
campaign in six of the nine regions of the country bordering Sudan in 
December. The decision was taken by the Ministry of Health after reviewing 
with the Interagency Coordination Committee (ICC) the threat of the 
disease to Ethiopia. This followed reports by WHO that 19 people who had 
contracted polio had been identified in neighboring Sudan, of which one 
was only 70 km from the Ethiopian border. No case of wild poliovirus has 
been detected in Ethiopia since January 2001, therefore Ethiopia hopes to 
attain certification criteria targets in order to achieve polio free 
status. bkaranja@unicef.org

IMPROVING THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS IN ETHIOPIA

The Government of Ethiopia through Disaster Prevention and Prevention 
Commission (DPPC) has initiated an improved needs assessment approach 
which is based on the analysis of livelihoods at the household level. The 
approach aims at effective resource allocation as well as facilitates 
prioritization and appropriate response to specific needs throughout the 
country. The new system which also focuses on protecting and supporting 
livelihoods basically necessitates changing the traditional approach which 
had a more exclusive supply-side orientation. The DPPC has piloted a 
household food economy based needs assessment methodology during late 2003 
and in January 2004 in Somali and Amhara regions, respectively. This was 
part of an attempt to incorporate a consideration of local livelihoods 
into the needs assessment methodology and to create a greater consistency 
across regions. As a follow up to this process, the DPPC is currently 
undertaking a pilot livelihood based study in Southern Nations, 
Nationalities and Peoples' Region (SNNPR). The first step in this process 
requires establishing livelihood zones. The DPPC has drafted livelihood 
zones for the region and is currently being verified. The next step will 
be to collect the necessary livelihood based baseline information which 
will fit into the DPPC emergency needs assessment methodology. If SNNPR is 
successful in incorporating the livelihoods framework into the current 
needs assessment process, it is envisaged that the new method will be 
expanded to other regions.

RELIEF FOOD STATUS

DPPC is currently allocating food rations for November to the local 
authorities. A total of 34,000 tonnes of cereals, oil and blended food 
have been allocated so far to the regions of Tigray, Afar, SNNP and Oromia 
regions. Additional allocations to Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions are 
underway. In December, a total amount of 57,000 tonnes of food is required 
to cover the needs of the beneficiary population covered through relief 
assistance. While commodities such as pulses, oil and blended food are 
fully covered for the rest of the year, a pipeline break of 9,000 tonnes 
of cereals will occur in December. Minor carryover contributions of 
pulses, oil and blended food are expected for 2005.  Due to the lead-time 
necessary for the procurement and delivery of these commodities, pulses, 
oil and blended food have been scheduled ahead of time to avoid pipeline 
breaks early next year. paul.turnbull@wfp.org

UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR, DANNY GLOVER, VISITS ETHIOPIA

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Danny Glover, is visiting Ethiopia, from 24-28 
November to highlight the situation of landmines and to celebrate the 
recent ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty by the Ethiopian Government. 
This trip will be a prelude to a global conference to review the Ottawa 
Treaty being held in Nairobi, Kenya from 29 November - 3 December 2004. 
While in Ethiopia, Mr Glover will also join fellow UNICEF Goodwill 
Ambassadors and Olympic Champions, Keninisa Bekele and Berhane Adere on a 
visit to The Ethiopian Children's Fund (ECF) Village in Aleltu. They will 
use this opportunity to call for global participation in the Lesson for 
Life campaign being held as part of World AIDS Day 2004. 150,000 Ethiopian 
children, including students from ECF will join millions worldwide in a 
Lesson for Life: a "lesson" on HIV/AIDS and the effect of the pandemic on 
children and their communities. bkaranja@unicef.org

WVE DONATES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO ASSOSA HOSPITAL

World Vision Ethiopia (WVE) donated medical equipment and supplies (GIK) 
to Assosa Hospital of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State last week. The 
consignment of the equipment consists several items including wind-up 
hospital beds and frames, bedside cabinets and over bed tables, image 
intensifier and birthing bed, optical equipments (with 2 cartons of 
spectacles), sterilizer units, walking frame, medical books and journals. 
The GIK which is secured from World Vision Australia, is believed to 
alleviate the shortage of medical equipment in the hospital. 
wveth@telecom.net.et

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