OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
19 September 2005

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

MID MEHER SEASON ASSESSMENT - PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

A short mid-meher multi-agency assessment has been conducted from 30 
August - 9 September in 58 woredas of Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya, SNNP and 
Afar regions.  The information collected by the multi-agency teams is 
mainly intended to serve and complement the current preparation of the 
contingency plans for 2006.  The teams debriefed partners at the 
government-led Early Warning Working Group on 13 September. According to 
their findings, in comparison to 2004, the performance of the 2005 rains 
has been good to very good.  However, due to delay of the onset of rain 
in some areas, planting and agricultural activities have also been 
delayed.  Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the continuation of the 
rains to the end of September to early October as it will determine the 
performance of the late-planted crops.  In Tigray Region, long-cycle 
crops are in good condition, with the exception of teff having been 
planted late and needing further rain to mature.  The southern zone of 
Tigray Region (mainly Raya Azebo and Alamata districts)  is of concern 
due to a long dry spell in July; as a result it requires further 
rainfall in the coming weeks. Oromiya and Ahmara regions have 
experienced good to very good rainfall compared to recent years and are 
expected to have good crop performance. The exceptions are East and West 
Hararghe zones of Oromiya Region and the lowlands bordering Afar in 
Amhara Region (such as North Wello, South Wello and Oromiya zones), 
which have received less than average rainfall and need to be monitored 
closely in the coming weeks. For Afar region, the situation in all 
woredas of zone two and Yallo and Taru woredas of zone four is of 
serious concern because the livestock condition is not improving. 
Although the situation is not as serious as the recent drought years, 
pasture conditions are not good enough for livestock recovery. 
Furthermore, the National Meteorological Services Agency forecast the 
eastern and north-eastern part of the country is expected to receive 
below normal rainfall in the coming weeks; therefore, it is expected 
that the current situation in Afar will not improve. For further 
information: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

UPDATE ON THE FLOOD SITUATION IN AFAR REGION

The joint OCHA, FAO and UNICEF assessment team to the flood affected 
woredas of zone one of Afar Region reported the flood in Assaita woreda 
has covered a very wide area and affected up to 8,900 people in five 
kebeles. However the team could not confirm the population and livestock 
affected as the area was inaccessible. Afar Pastoralist Development 
Association (APDA) also reported that an estimated 3,000 people in 
Rumaitu kebele have been water-bound for the past three weeks but the 
team could not confirm. Meanwhile, APDA has responded by placing two 
women extension workers among the displaced women to assist with coping 
and sent health workers to Rumaitu by boat. The team reported that the 
flood in Dubti woreda is under control and 50 percent of the IDPs have 
returned to their original location.  However 30,000 people have 
reportedly become vulnerable to food-shortages as the flood damaged the 
bridge that connects Dubti and Date-Bahri woredas on 1 September. So far 
five people have died attempting to swim across the river. ICRC reported 
that there are new floodings in Afambo and Bure Mudaitu woredas and 
indicated they will respond in Bure Mudaitu as they are operational 
there. Meanwhile the FDPPC reported that it has airlifted over 137 
quintals of wheat to more than 10 flooded localities last week.  A Dubti 
woreda official reported the transportation of the relief grain to the 
various areas of the woredas will continue with a boat from the Ministry 
of Water Resources. However, the woreda reports that the assistance 
provided is insufficient compared to the huge number affected. Last 
month the FDPPC provided 52 cartons of biscuits to Assaita and Dupti 
received relief assistance in late July. Contact: ocha-eth@un.org

SITUATION UPDATE, SOMALI REGION

The Somali Regional Disaster Prevention Preparedness and Food Security 
Bureau in its monthly food security update reports that the overall food 
security situation in the region is below normal to near normal. 
According to the belg/gu Needs Assessment the total estimated needy 
population of the region that require relief food from August to 
December 2005 was 1,366,378 (29.7% of the total population in the 
region).  However, the report indicates that this figure was reduced to 
447,600 for the first three months (August - October);  401,100 for 
November and 388,100 people for December.  The report claims that this 
has worsened the humanitarian situation in the region with some zones 
already experiencing the consequences; in Charati the price of 1Kg wheat 
has increased by 100% (from 2 Birr to 4 Birr). Meanwhile as a result of 
improved access to pasture and water, livestock condition is normal 
although their prices are below normal due to poor demand. There are no 
reports of major disease outbreak except increasing cases of malaria and 
diarrhoea in almost all zones of the region.  In addition there have 
been conflicts and tensions in a number of woredas in the last two 
months which has restricted pastoral mobility, undermined traditional 
resource sharing, increased risks and slowed trade activities that in 
turn increased prices of commodities. It was also reported that no crops 
were planted in Miesso as a result of the ethnic conflict between 
Somalis and Oromos.  For more information contact: 
ewprojectscuk@ethionet.et

UPDATE ON THE REINTEGRATION OF HARTISHEK AND FAFEN IDPS, SOMALI REGION

UNDP reports pre-movement activity is in progress to move the first 
group of nearly 1,000 IDPs in Hartishek and Fafen camps at the end of 
this month. A memorandum of understanding was signed between UNDP and 
IOM on agreed responsilbies in early September.  Consequently IOM is 
conducting a revalidation, profiling and registration assessment in the 
camps. UNDP has provided US$ 339,720 towards facilitating the movement 
of the IDPs. This week a United Nations Country Team is planning an 
assessment in the area of return, Degehabur zone to finalise the 
necessary preparations for their return. For more information contact: 
takele.teshome@undp.org

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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