OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
14 November 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

ALARMING MALNUTRITION IN BERHALE WOREDA, AFAR REGION

GOAL-Ethiopia conducted a nutritional survey in Berhale woreda, zone two 
of Afar Region from 16-20 October and reported an alarming malnutrition 
among children. The survey revealed 19% Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) 
and 2% Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) with a 1.05 under five mortality 
rate/10,000/day. Poor access to clean water and health facilities in 
most of the communities is also observed. GOAL also reported concern 
regarding the presence and expected reliance on relief food by the 
majority of the population. Consequently, the survey recommends 
improvement in quality and quantity of general ration by revising 
beneficiary numbers and complementing it through blanket supplementary 
feeding program for children under five and pregnant and lactating 
mothers. Contact: santiagoc@goalethiopia.com

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE TO CONDUCT NUTRITIONAL SURVEY IN TIGRAY REGION

The Tigray regional DPPB in collaboration with the Early Warning 
Capacity Building Project requested assistance to conduct nutritional 
surveys in Ofla, Endamehoni, Raya Azebo, Kola Tembein and Erob woredas. 
The survey is intended to evaluate the current nutritional status of 
children under five, in response to the findings of critical 
malnutrition in the June 2005 Enhanced Outreach Strategy (EOS) 
screening. The GAM and SAM revealed by the screening were 17.8% and 1.8% 
(Ofla), 17.7% and 3.7% (Endamehoni), 22.5% and 3.3% (Raya Azebo), 21% 
and 1.5% (Erob) and 27.9% and 6.5% (Kola Temben). Meanwhile the regional 
DPPB reported that this year's meher season rainfall, both in amount and 
distribution, was better than that of the past three years. A better 
yield is expected in the region except where the rains ceased early (by 
the end of August) affecting both long and short cycle crops (Raya 
Azebo, Ahferom and lowlands of H/Wajirat woredas). For more information 
contact: Tigray Early Warning Department @04-400342/406497

ICRC PROVIDES NON-FOOD ASSISTANCE TO 3,000 FAMILIES IN AFDER AND FIK 
ZONES, SOMALI REGION

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) conducted an 
assessment in Fik and Afder zones, Somali Region in mid-October and 
reported that 3,000 families are displaced in West Imi and Raso woredas 
in Afder and Selahad and Lagahida woredas in Fik zone due to ongoing 
clashes. According to ICRC, since the displacement started four months 
ago, the people have been depending on DPPC's relief food assistance. 
The people also survive by selling their livestock and receiving support 
from the host communities. ICRC reported that the people do not have 
appropriate shelter that can protect them from the coming rains. 
Diarrhea, malaria and pneumonia are prevalent in the areas where health 
posts are either not fully operational and/or short of drugs. In 
response, ICRC distributed tarpaulin, kitchen sets, blankets and 
sleeping mats to 1,200 households in West Imi, 1,000 households in Raso 
and 400 households in Selahad and Legahida woredas on 24-25 October. It 
has also provided dressing materials and basic medicines to Raso, 
Selahad and Lagahida health facilities. For more information contact: 
ircethiopia@ethionet.et

SOMALI REGION UPDATE

The Somali Regional Disaster Prevention, Preparedness and Food Security 
Bureau in its monthly (October) food security update reports that the 
overall food security situation in the region is normal to near normal. 
The deyr rains were reported in most woredas of the seven deyr receiving 
zones with the exception of Dolobay and West-Imi in Afder zone, Dolo-odo 
in Liben zone, Shekosh and Debeweyin in Korahe zone which only received 
a one-day shower. The deyr rains have not yet arrived in Gode zone, with 
the exception of Gode and Denan woredas. The availability of pasture and 
water seem to be improving in the areas that have received good initial 
rains. The two karan rain receiving zones (Jijiga and Shinile) have not 
received rains this month as they started the long dry spell of Jilaal 
season. However these zones have received good karan rains until the end 
of September; as a result have sufficient pasture and water as well as 
satisfactory harvests. The update also indicated that insufficient or no 
food crops were harvested in most zones of the region, with the 
exception of small vegetables and fruits grown in irrigated farms in 
Dolo-odo woreda. Although the livestock body condition in most zones is 
good, a local disease called Sooguduud was reported in Shinile zone and 
an outbreak is expected in the area. For more information contact: 
ewprojectscuk@ethionet.et

UNICEF SUPPORTS NEW TFP IN KOMBOLCHA, EAST HARARGHE ZONE

UNICEF has supported the Oromiya Regional Health Bureau (RHB) in 
establishing a Therapeutic Feeding Programme (TFP) at the health center 
in Kombolcha woreda in East Hararghe zone. The programme is in response 
to the EOS nutritional screening conducted in the first week of October 
that showed high number and percentage of Severe Acute Malnutrition (624 
cases, 2.6% SAM). UNICEF provided the programme the necessary drugs and 
therapeutic products as well as technical assistance. The programme, 
which has been operational since the end of October, has the capacity to 
treat up to 100 children. For more information contact: 
mapted@unicef.org

APDA'S AFAR REGION UPDATE

Afar Pastoralist Development Association (APDA) reports in its latest 
update that the dry season has resumed in Afar Region as of late 
September. In most areas, the duration of the rains was insufficient to 
retain pasture. Water is scarce as water pools in many areas have dried 
up. The update indicates that APDA's retention dams in Elidar and Dubti 
woredas are currently playing a crucial role in watering the herd. APDA 
also reported that it is appealing to DPPB to construct mobile houses 
(daboyta) for the people that are affected by the seismic activities at 
the end of September in Teru woreda. With local contributions, APDA thus 
far has assisted 25 households constructing their houses.

For more information contact: afarpda@yahoo.com

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