OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
25 April 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

DPPC LED MULTI-AGENCY TEAMS IN THE REGIONS

The Multi-Agency teams led by the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness 
Commission (DPPC) are in the regions to re-assess requirements following 
the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the country. The assessment 
results will be compiled in a Flash Update of the 2005 Humanitarian 
Appeal, to be released by the Government of Ethiopia and humanitarian 
partners in early May.

REGIONAL RAINFALL UPDATE

Following the predominantly dry weather in most parts of the country in 
February, there was a significant improvement of rainfall in the first 
and second dekads of March in many areas. However, the performance of 
rain in the last two weeks of March and the beginning of April was not 
good. There has been a significant improvement in the performance of 
rain beginning the second week of April. Planting of belg crops (short 
season crops harvested in July) took place in some areas of the county 
with December, January and March rains, but in other belg producing 
areas this was interrupted by dry spells. The March/April dry spell 
lasted two-four weeks and depending on the locations had a negative 
impact on the growth and planting of belg crops. The belg season rains 
are very important for planting long-cycle crops which are harvested 
after the meher rain at the end of the year, and for replenishing 
pasture and water sources. In the pastoral areas, of southern zones of 
Somali Region there are signs of gu rain starting. The lack of rains in 
lowland areas of the country is also affecting water and pasture 
availability for livestock. The current rainfall improvement as of mid 
April is expected to have a positive impact on agricultural activities. 
But this improvement must continue through to the end of May. Afar 
Region received few days of rain in March and recent reports of rain are 
being checked. The rains received in March had a positive impact on 
browsing for camel and goats. In Tigray belg crops have been planted and 
the March rains have contributed for the recovery of stressed crops, as 
well as improving pasture and water availability for livestock. Despite 
this, a dry spell that lasted 3-4 weeks led to disruption of 
agricultural activities and moisture stress on earlier planted crops. 
The current improvement of rains is hoped to benefit growth of belg 
crops over mid and highland belg growing areas and beneficial for 
planting of long cycle crops. Some rains were received in Amhara Region 
in January and February and improved in March. January and March rains 
were used to plant belg crops in most belg growing areas of the region 
in spite of the February dry spell which did not allow farmers to cover 
all prepared land. In addition the dry spell (for 3-4 weeks) also led to 
moisture stress, on earlier planted crops particularly in some lowland 
areas, before recent April rain began. In Oromiya, although there was a 
good start of the season in most areas, agricultural activities were 
affected by dry spells in February, March and April. SNNPR also 
experienced a dry spell in February and a two-three week break in March 
and April. The current improvement in rainfall (April) in the regions 
(Oromiya, SNNPR and Amhara), if continued until May, is expected to have 
a positive impact on agriculture.

CARE VISITS BISIDIMO LEPROSY RELIEF CENTRE, EAST HARARGHE

CARE Ethiopia recently visited Bisidimo Leprosy Relief Centre in Babile 
woreda of East Hararghe Zone in Oromiya Regional State. The hospital is 
45 years old and is being managed by a German NGO called German Leprosy 
Relief Association (GLRA). The hospital also treats malnourished 
children. According to the team there are 75 severely malnourished 
children that are being treated in the Therapeutic Feeding Centres (TFC) 
and several others suffering form Kwashiorkor and other marasmus. Most 
of the children are from the neighbouring woredas of Fedis, and Alemaya. 
The zonal health office reported that it has compiled a report of the 
screening carried out by the Enhanced Outreach Strategy team in both 
woredas and will fax it to the regional office and Federal DPPC to seek 
support for the establishment of TFC in both sites. The team recommended 
an urgent dry supplementary feeding programme for moderately 
malnourished children under five and medical screening and treatment for 
the malnourished children in both woredas. Ministry of Health, CARE, 
UNICEF and GLRA are the only orgaisations that are presently involved in 
this hospital. For further information contact: lapointej@careet.org

GAA/ORDA STARTS NEW FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM IN AMHARA

German Agro Action and Organization for Relief and Rehabilitation in 
Amhara (GAA/ORDA) started a three year programme with European Union's 
US$ 1 million support, in Tehuledere and Habru woredas in South and 
North Wello zones of Amhara Region. The programme aims at addressing the 
root causes of food insecurity in a new comprehensive approach oriented 
towards building and strengthening administrative and agro-technical 
capacities at district and community level. It also incorporates land 
certification, water-shed management and training in participatory 
planning and implementation processes. The intervention, which involves 
21,000 beneficiaries, will be coordinated with safety net and/or relief 
allocations. For further information contact: gaa.bahr@ethionet.et

FOLLOW-UP HUMANITARIAN SITUATION ASSESSMENT IN DEGEHABUR ZONE, SOMALI 
REGION

Ogaden Welfare and Development Association (OWDA) which conducted an 
assessment in three woredas of Degehabur zone, Somali region in mid 
March, conducted a follow-up mission in the zone from 4-13 April. 
According to the team the humanitarian situation has worsened and 
requires immediate intervention by humanitarian partners. For further 
information contact: owda@telecom.net.et

WORLD VISION CONDUCTS DISASTER MITIGATION PROGRAM IN AMHARA REGION

World Vision, in collaboration with the rural development office of 
Amhara Region, is ready to launch its disaster response and preparedness 
and capacity building program in Libo Kemkem, Yilmana Densa, Tenta and 
Gera Keya districts of Amhara region. The program will focus on 
improving early warning capacity of the target areas through training 
and supply of equipment. It will also deal with the preparation of 
community level disaster preparedness planning and monitoring. The 
program is funded by World Vision/United Kingdom and will run till end 
of December 2005.  For further information contact: wveth@telecom.net.et


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