OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
19 December 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

DE-BRIEFING OF MULTI-AGENCY ASSESSMENT

This week, teams from the multi-agency meher emergency needs assessment 
for Tigray, Amhara, SNNP and Oromiya regions presented their main 
findings. In general, the food security outlook for 2006 is estimated to 
be positive in most crop growing areas of the country and is better than 
previously thought due to an overall good performance of meher rains. 
Positive trends were noted in land preparation, yield estimates, and 
pasture and water availability in most areas. The onset and cessation of 
rains was mostly on time.  However, in important pocket areas of the 
country, below normal and/or erratic rainfall, extended dry-spells or 
adverse weather conditions and pests have reduced harvest prospects and 
may impact the food security situation later in 2006. Areas where meher 
rains have not performed well include lowland areas of East and West 
Hararghe, Guji, Arsi, East Shewa and dry midland areas of Oromiya 
Region.  In Tigray Region, poor harvest prospects were noted for pockets 
in lowland areas of Southern and Eastern zones, especially in woredas 
bordering Afar Region, due to dry spells and the early cessation of 
rains. In Amhara, rains were inadequate, erratic and ceased early in 
some pocket areas of North-Shewa, North-Wollo, North Gonder, Wag-Hamra 
and Oromiya zones. In SNNPR, where new methodology was used integrating 
livelihood approaches, production was below the reference year (2004) 
in much of Sidama and north east lowland areas of the region. The teams 
have identified emergency food aid beneficiaries for the regions that 
are affected as a result of shocks (pest and disease, moisture stress 
and other weather related adversities). Findings and updated figures 
will be compiled and shared with partners shortly. Debriefings from 
assessments undertaken in pastoral areas is scheduled for later this 
week.

Contact: ocha-etha@un.org & wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

HUMANITARIAN COORDINATION MEETING IN SOMALI REGION

In Jijiga, a humanitarian coordination meeting for Somali Region was 
held on 13 December to discuss the current situation in the region. The 
main issue was the current humanitarian situation in view of the 
below-normal performance of the on-going deyr season. It also looked at 
key issues that require close follow up and assistances such as water, 
food security and livestock.  The meeting recommended the regional DPPB 
to prepare a multi-sectoral response plan to facilitate a possible 
humanitarian response and to request the federal government to conduct 
nutritional surveys. The situation is reported to be especially worrying 
in Afder and Liben zones, where the past two rainy seasons have been 
below-normal. There has been livestock migration, particularly from Dolo 
Odo and Moyale woredas of Liben zone and from Kenya to Filtu and Hudet 
woredas of the zone that received moderate rains. Livestock migration 
across the border from northern Somalia and Puntland to Warder zone has 
also been observed. Government officials and international and national 
organisations attended the meeting. Meanwhile, the meher/deyr seasons 
needs assessments will provide a definitive status report on the overall 
situation of the region.

Contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

NEW CASES OF MEASLES REPORTED IN AFAR

The Afar Regional Health Bureau reported 12 deaths and 52 cases of 
measles in Telalak woreda in zone five of the region. To date, a total 
of 304 cases of measles have been reported from Gambella, Afar and 
Oromiya (East Hararghe)  regions.  UNICEF is preparing to launch an 
appeal for US$ 9 million to conduct measles campaigns in the first and 
fourth quarters of the coming year in high risk areas of the country.

Contact: mapted@unicef.org

WV CONDUCTS NUTRITIONAL SURVEYS IN TWO WOREDAS OF KEMBATA TEMBARO ZONE 
IN SNNPR

World Vision (WV)  conducted nutritional surveys in Kedida Gamela and 
Omo Sheleko woredas of Kembata Tembaro zone in SNNPR in mid November 
2005. The survey revealed 4.6% GAM and 0.6% SAM with 1.2 U5MR 
/10,000/day in Kedida Gamela and 7.5% GAM, 1.0% SAM, with 1.0 
U5MR/10,000/day in Omo Sheleko woredas.  Fever and diarrhea were among 
the main causes of death of under-five children in the woredas. The food 
security situation in both woredas is normal due to joint relief, 
rehabilitation and development prograrmmes.  The performance of meher 
crops is also normal except in some lowland areas of Kedida Gamela 
woreda. The surveys recommend a strengthened early warning system and 
close monitoring of the overall food security situation for Kedida 
Gamela and Omo Sheleko woredas respectively. A strengthened capacity of 
health institutions for both woredas is also recommended.

Contact: wveth@ethionet.et

CARE SITUATION UPDATE

CARE in its monthly update reports a normal food security situation in 
most of its reporting woredas due to the ongoing food distribution 
through Safety Net and emergency programmes.  However, due to the 
significant estimated production shortfall of main crops, the food 
security prospect is expected to decline, particularly in the lowland 
belts of East and West Hararghe.  Even though there have been 
improvements in the food security condition of Grawa and Bedeno woredas, 
admissions to the Community based Therapeutic Centres (CTC)  have 
continued but at a lower rate. The CTC programmes in East Hararghe and 
Dire Dawa have also reported new admissions.  According to the report, 
pasture and water availability were reported to be good in most of the 
reporting woredas. However, due to the late and inadequate hagaya rains 
in Borena, weak and dying livestock, along with unusual migrations have 
been reported. In addition, the critical water shortage in Dire and 
Moyalle woredas has forced the local administration to begin emergency 
water distribution, primarily for schools and clinics, in order to help 
them continue with their services.

Contact: care.eth@ethionet.et

NORMAL NUTRITIONAL CONDITION IN KUNI WOREDA, OROMIYA REGION

GOAL conducted a rapid nutritional survey in Kuni woreda, West Hararghe 
zone, Oromiya Region from 1-5 December and reports 7.5% GAM and 0.6% SAM 
with 0.64/10,000/day U5MR. The result is considered normal as 
vaccination and supplementation rate for children under-five were 
improved from the previous survey (February 2005). However, BCG coverage 
remains low. Access to health facilities and clean water is also poor. 
The survey recommends increased vaccination and supplementation rates, 
especially BCG, for children under-five in the short term and improved 
access to health facilities and clean water in the long term.

Contact: erinb@goalethiopia.com

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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