OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
4 April 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

CRITICAL SITUATION IN BORICHA

Latest UNICEF field reports indicate the situation in Boricha, Sidama 
Zone is deteriorating rapidly. The Regional Health Bureau (RHB) with 
GOAL, Ethiopian Nutritional Coordination Unit (ENCU) and UNICEF are 
re-conducting a nutritional screening of all children under five years 
of age in the woreda. The situation is considered at a critical level 
and immediate and appropriate interventions are necessary to mitigate 
the problem.  As of 30 March, 131 severely malnourished children were 
admitted in the Yirba Heath Center with another 34 in daycare, while 68 
more children have been admitted to the Derera Health Center. Both 
centers are overwhelmed by this extraordinary load and human resources 
in both Health Units have been strengthened by the RHB. If this trend 
continues, it is estimated that about 1500 - 2000 children will be 
severely malnourished in this woreda. RHB and UNICEF are considering the 
most appropriate health interventions such as reinforcing the capacity 
of other Nutrition Rehabilitation Units in nearby Health Centers; 
opening Therapeutic Feeding Centers and/or expanding community based 
treatment of severely acute malnourished children. WFP/DPPC are 
providing fortified blended food to the 35 percent of the population 
considered as vulnerable groups. For more information contact: 
igetachew@unicef.org

POLIO CAMPAIGN STARTS 1 APRIL:  US$2.3 MLN SHORTFALL

The first round of a house to house polio eradication campaign which 
will provide oral vaccinations to 14.7 million children under the age of 
five started on Friday 1st April. 100,000 volunteers and health workers 
are in all the regions to administer the vaccine. The Special Alert 
urging donors to assist in covering the US$4.9 million shortfall has 
received a positive response but more funding is still urgently 
required. So far US$2 million from USAID, US$94,000 from JICA, 
US$500,000 from Rotary International and US$58,000 from International 
Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) is secured leaving a shortfall of US $2.3 
million. The second nationwide round is scheduled from 23-27 May. For 
more information: oyewolef@et.afro.who.int


HUMBO AND SODDO NUTRITIONAL & FOOD SECURITY ASSESSMENT

World Vision in collaboration with the local Agricultural and Health 
offices are conducting nutritional and food security assessments in 
Humbo and Soddo districts, SNNPR, from 30 March 2005. Preliminary 
information indicates there is a serious shortage of pasture and water 
for livestock in Humbo district and crop prices are increasing in local 
markets. The situation has forced farmers to move with their cattle up 
to Lake Abaya in search of pasture and water. Contact: 
wveth@telecom.net.et


CARE SITUATION UPDATE IN EAST AND WEST HARARGHE

CARE reports in its monthly Food and Livelihood Security Situation 
update that in East Hararghe and some lowlands of West Hararghe the 
humanitarian situation is deteriorating. There is a deterioration in 
overall nutritional levels as indicated by the increase of severely 
malnourished children admitted to the NGO IMC's Community based 
Therapeutic Care (CTCs), higher food grain prices compounded by the 
delayed implementation of the Safety Nets Programme. CARE with the 
woreda partners will provide a one time supplementary food distribution 
for 10,145 children in Chiro, Doba and Miesso woredas of West Hararghe, 
and 27,545 beneficiaries in Grawa, Kurfachelle and Bedeno woredas of 
East Hararghe. The full report is available on 
www.ocha-eth.org/reports/downloadable/carelivelihoodupdatemar05.pdf


OXFAM INTERNATIONAL CONDUCTS LIVELIHOOD ASSESSMENT, AFAR REGION

In January OXFAM International, Action Contre la Faim (ACF) and Afar 
Pastoralist Development Association (APDA) conducted a livelihood 
assessment in Afar region to recommend longer term interventions aimed 
at alleviating the root causes of food insecurity and livelihood 
deterioration. According to the team responding to the symptoms of the 
crisis will not bring sustainable solutions to the widespread and 
chronic food insecurity in the region which has made 45 percent of the 
population dependent on emergency food. As a result the team recommended 
water development and management, enhancing productivity of the land and 
livestock, improving livestock marketing and diversifying sources of 
livelihood. It was also recommended to provide some capacity building 
interventions related with organisational development and coordination 
to government authorities. For more information contact: 
addisababa@oxfam.org.uk


HUMANITARIAN SITUATION ASSESSMENT IN DEGEHABUR ZONE, SOMALI REGION

Ogaden Welfare and Development Association (OWDA) and DPPB conducted an 
assessment in Degehabur, Aware and Gashamo woredas of Degehabur zone, 
Somali region from 8-15 March to identify the food security condition 
and availability of pasture and water in the area. According to the team 
there is an anthrax outbreak among camels and the general health 
condition of livestock is concerning. Food security is in a critical 
situation which is further worsened by cross border immigration from 
northern Somalia in search of food. The team also reported malnutrition 
in Aware woreda and recommended a supplementary feeding intervention. As 
a result the team recommended provision of urgent general food 
distribution for all Degehabur zone before the situation is 'unbearable 
and uncontrollable'. For more information contact: owda@telecom.net.et


APPEAL CONTRIBUTIONS UPDATE

Current funding of the emergency food component of the 2005 Humanitarian 
Appeal using confirmed pledges and a written commitment of a pledge to 
the government has now increased to about 50 percent of the total 
adjusted requirements of 435,250 tonnes (for general rations needs of 
396,306 tonnes plus the targeted supplementary feeding programme needs 
of 38,943 tonnes). Further pledges are under negotiation but need to be 
confirmed soon to avoid a serious break in the pipeline in coming 
months. In the non-food sector there have been no new confirmed 
contributions and less than 10 percent of the US$112 million Appeal 
requirements have been met. For more information contact: 
ocha-eth@un.org

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