OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
28 November 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Poor deyr rainfall threatens food security, Somali Region

The Somali Regional Disaster Prevention, Preparedness and Food Security 
Bureau in its flash update reports that the overall performance of the 
deyr rains, in most of the seven deyr-receiving zones, has so far been 
poor. As a result pasture and water conditions are below normal, 
particularly in the zones that had poor gu rains in the last season 
(Fik, Gode, Afder, Liben and parts of Korahe zones). In areas where the 
deyr rains performed well there has been influx of livestock, 
particularly from Kenya and Somalia, depleting the pasture and water 
resources. Such large scale migration at this time of year, when the 
deyr season has not ended, is considered abnormal.  Water shortages have 
also been reported in Filtu and Hargele woredas.  The report recommends 
for the rainfall performance to be closely monitored.  Regional 
contingency planning to mitigate and respond to a potential food crisis 
in these areas is also needed. WFP reports that food rations for some of 
the areas of concern are currently being dispatched to the region and it 
is expected that requests for further allocations to the areas of 
concern will be made shortly. Contact: ewprojectscuk@ethionet.et & 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org Tree Locust invasion in Afar Region Food and 
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reported a tree locust invasion in Afar 
Region.  Locusts have been observed in Awash Arba town, Gelsa, some 
kebeles of Awash Fentale (Boloita and Kebena) and Fursi. A sample 
collected by FAO and sent to the Desert Locust Control Organisation 
(DLCO) confirmed that the pest was the tree locust and reported that it 
has the potential to cause severe damage to crops when swarming in large 
masses and if left uncontrolled. They are targeting the acacia trees and 
are hard to identify as they appear to look like the tree's leaves. On 
the other hand no locusts were observed feeding on Prosopis julifora (a 
tree considered as toxic by the inhabitants).  FAO reported that there 
is a fear that the situation may be aggravated due to the recent showers 
in the area. There is a need for further investigation on the effect of 
the locust droppings on the health of livestock. Presently a team from 
MoARD has gone to the region for further investigation. 
fao-ethiopia@fao.org


US$ 1.09 million secured for Avian Flu

The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH)  recently reported that US$ 1.09 
million has been secured from DFID (US$ 510,000), USAID (400,000), 
Development Corporation of Ireland (US$ 117,000), WHO (US$ 70,000) and 
UNICEF (US$ 5,000)  for strategic preparedness activities for a possible 
Avian Influenza Pandemic in the country. The FMoH in collaboration with 
WHO and other partners have submitted a 'Strategic Preparedness and 
Response Plan' requesting funding of US$ 1 million for the initial phase 
and an estimated US$ 53 million for a possible pandemic. The WHO reports 
that Ethiopia is one of the countries along the rift valley that is at 
greatest risk of avian flu because of the millions of migratory birds 
that will arrive in December.  On 26 October, the Ministry of 
Agriculture and Rural Development (MoRAD) banned imports of poultry and 
poultry products to guard against the flu risk. The FMoH has established 
a National Task Force which has four technical committees namely 
Surveillance and Response; Laboratory Investigation;  Fund Raising and 
Advocacy.  It has also setup an office comprising technical people from 
MoH, WHO and Center for Disease Control (CDC)  to deal with the disease. 
The office has risk mapped 40 woredas in the rift valley areas from 
Afar, Oromiya and SNNP regions. In addition, a joint national Task Force 
that includes MoARD, which reports directly to the Prime Minister's 
office was launched on 24 November. The UN has also established its own 
Crisis Management Team and is finalising contingency plan.  The plan 
includes awareness raising and preparation of medical facilities 
(vaccines, drugs and other materials)  in the event of an outbreak. 
solomonf@et.afro.who.int & millioyon@yahoo.com


MALARIA UPDATE

During the last two weeks malaria epidemics has been reported in two 
woredas in Beneshangul Region and six woredas in Jimma zone in Oromiya 
Region.  Over 2,000 patients were treated in Beneshangul and 16,627 in 
Jimma.  According to the Regional Heath Bureaus (RHB) the situation is 
now under control.  Anti Malaria Association, an NGO reported increasing 
cases of malaria being reported from East and West Gojam in Amhara 
Region. The Association in collaboration with the RHB is attempting to 
control the situation.  MSF France also reported that the malaria 
situation in Dale woreda in Sidama zone, SNNPR was quite critical during 
July-September this year.  According to assessments, there were 50 
percent positive cases in a random community (patients with fever) 
survey. It was indicated that this period was not a peak time it was in 
the rainy season. Therefore, MSF has sent a team to assess the current 
malaria situation where a deteriorated situation is expected. 
Meanwhile, the Malaria Control Support Team conducted a supervisory 
mission to malaria prone areas in October and reported the situation is 
better than previous years at this time of the year.  The continued use 
of CoArtem and improved use of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT)  are believed 
to have contributed to the improved malaria situation in the country. 
However, there is US$ 3.7 million gap out of the US$ 7.6 million 
requested for the procurement of CoArtem and RDTs. Contact: 
mapted@unicef.org


FOURTH ROUND OF POLIO CAMPAIGN TARGETS 14. 5 MILLION CHILDREN

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF, carried 
out the fourth (28-31October)  and fifth (25-28 November)  rounds of 
house-to-house polio campaign in the country targeting 14.5 million 
children under-five.  Preliminary results indicate 96 percent coverage 
for the forth round. Contact: mapted@unicef.org


Renaming of DPPC to DPPA

The Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC)  recently 
notified humanitarian partners that it has been renamed as Disaster 
Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) and the title of the head of 
the agency has changed from Commissioner to Director General.  Contact: 
info@dppc.gov.et


For further information, please contact
UN OCHA -Ethiopia
Tel: 251- 11- 544 41 86/251- 11- 544 41 62
Fax: 251- 11- 5511292
email: ocha-eth@un.org
Website: www.ocha-eth.org

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