OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
17 October 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

UPDATE ON FOOD DISTRIBUTION

The Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (FDPPC) is 
currently transporting September's relief food allocations for Afar, 
Amhara and Oromiya and is about to start dispatches to Gambella Region. 
The total amount of food allocated for September amounts to 20,041 
tonnes. So far, 62 percent of the allocation has been transported to 
Afar, 82 percent for Amhara and 13 percent Oromiya. There have been no 
recent allocations for Somali and SNNPR as the regions have not 
accounted for utilisation of previously allocated food. In the absence 
of utilisation reports, the FDPPC has agreed to release food upon 
request only to areas of concern. According to WFP estimates, there are 
currently 33 woredas in the country that are classified as "areas of 
concern". Two of these woredas, Hulla of Sidama zone and Kuraz of South 
Omo zone, both in SNNPR and Sagag and Dihun woredas of Fik zone and West 
Imi woreda of Afder zone, in Somali Region are classified as areas of 
concern.  Sagag and Dihun woredas are currently receiving food aid from 
Save the Children UK. The relief beneficiary planning figure for 
September is 3.2 million and 2.4 million for October. Contact: 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

UPDATE ON RELIEF TO VOLCANO AFFECTED IN TERU WOREDA, AFAR REGION

A UN inter-agency team (FAO,WFP,OCHA)  is in zone two (Megella) of Afar 
Region to assess the situation following volcanic and seismic activities 
in the region late September. The team has already completed its 
assessment in Teru (zone four) and preliminary findings suggest that the 
number affected is probably less that first reported.  The DPPC has 
provided food and non-food assistance to Teru but it still needs to be 
distributed to those in need and the team is working out how they can 
assist in the delivery of aid.  Two water tankers are also available in 
Teru.  The team is continuing its assessment in affected areas in zone 
two which should give a comprehensive picture on the humanitarian 
impact. Contact: ocha-eth@un.org

SOMALI REGION UPDATE

The Somali Regional Disaster Prevention, Preparedness and Food Security 
Bureau in its monthly (September) food security update reports that the 
overall food security situation in the region is below normal to near 
normal and deteriorating in Liben zone. The seven deyr receiving zones 
are in their last month of the dry (hagga) season and experiencing 
increased stress and hardship as the availability of pasture and water 
gradually decreases.  According to the report, if deyr rains fail or are 
delayed the food security situation of these zones will deteriorate 
especially in Liben zone where the situation is already poor. Abnormal 
migration of humans and livestock has already occurred as the 
availability of pasture and water is much below normal due to the poor 
performance of the last gu rains. No intervention of water rationing has 
been done since mid August which has worsened the situation.  Unlike 
other zones, Jijiga and Shinile have good pasture and water as they have 
been receiving good karan rains in the last two months.  As a result, 
good harvests are expected with the exception of Miesso woreda in which 
crop planting was delayed due to ethnic clashes between the Somalis and 
Oromos.  The present security situation in the woreda seems to be calm 
after the elders of both clans with the help of local, regional and 
federal government bodies began negotiations to ease the tensions. For 
more information contact: ewprojectscuk@ethionet.et

UPDATE ON CARE CTC PROGRAMS

CARE Ethiopia with funding from CIDA and in close collaboration with 
local health authorities is launching a new Community-based Therapeutic 
Care (CTC) program in Dire Dawa. The program using the existing health 
structure will focus on addressing severe malnutrition cases within the 
broader boundaries of the city, the urban periphery and the surrounding 
agro-pastoralist communities.  Under the same funding, and working with 
UNICEF and the Ministry of Health (MoH), CARE will continue its 
Grawa-based CTC program for one year while supporting the MoH's programs 
in Bedeno and Kurfachelle woredas in East Hararghe zone.  CARE in its 
monthly update reports that, despite improvements in the food security 
conditions in Grawa and Bedeno woredas, admissions to the CTC program 
continue at a rate higher than expected for this time of the year. The 
CTC program in Grawa reported 58 new admissions of severely malnourished 
children and 20 in Bedeno, while reductions were noted in Kurfachelle. 
For more information contact: care.eth@ethionet.et

LARGEST MALARIA INTERVENTION UNDERWAY

The largest distribution of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) in 
Ethiopia's history and one of the biggest in Africa is currently 
underway in five regions.  Three million ITNs from Global Fund and 
UNICEF are being transported to the regions, then down the line to the 
woreda health posts. 203,591 ITNs have been distributed through the 
Enhanced Outreach Strategy (EOS)  in Hararghe and Shewa of Oromiya 
Region with plans to distribute a total of 440,000 ITNs to more than one 
million people by the end of October. For more information contact: 
igetachew@unicef.org

ETHIOPIA'S POPULATION REACHES 77.4 MILLION

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched a report titled 
'State of World Population 2005', as the UN in Ethiopia began a 12-day 
celebration marking its 60th anniversary.  This year's report focuses on 
gender, reproductive health and MDGs and states that Ethiopia's 
population for 2005 is now 77.4 million with a population growth rate of 
2.4 percent.  With the current growth rate the country's population is 
estimated to reach 170.2 million by the year 2050. Total fertility rate 
is 5.65 and only 6 percent of women giving birth have a skilled 
attendant. The life expectancy is reported as 47.1 for males and 49 for 
females, while HIV prevalence at a national level is 3.8 for those aged 
between 15 and 49.  Contact: vesikansa@unfpa.org

IRC CONDUCTING EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY AND GIS ACTIVITIES IN SNNPR

The International Rescue Committee (IRC)  is implementing OFDA-funded 
emergency water supply activities in the Sidama, Welayita, Selti and 
Gurage zones in SNNPR.  The initial assessments have targeted health 
structures under the CTC programs and have assessed 19 Outreach 
Therapeutic Programme sites and 15 rural communities for water needs in 
Sidama and Welayita zones.  Rehabilitation and expansion of existing 
water supply systems have been completed in two stabilisation centers 
where ACF (Action Contre la Faim)  is implementing a home based 
Therapeutic Treatment Program in Dale woreda (Sidama zone). The IRC's 
mapping team will begin mapping the target areas, charting a range of 
data including water points, schools, health clinics and other 
socio-economic indicators in order to create a more comprehensive 
picture of the livelihoods and needs of the areas. For more information 
contact: wendyt@theIRC.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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