THE CHURCH WORLD SERVICE: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM
CWS EMERGENCY APPEAL: ETHIOPIA RELIEF AND FOOD SECURITY ASSISTANCE
April 5, 2006


SITUATION:

Erratic and poorly distributed rainfall in the 2005 planting season, 
combined with protracted drought, soil erosion, lack of infrastructure, 
inability to recover from previous crop failures, and years of economic 
decline are all factors contributing to the severe conditions plaguing 
Ethiopia.  The worst drought conditions exist in the southern region of 
the country that borders Kenya and Somalia. More than 2.5 million 
persons at risk of succumbing to malnutrition and disease need emergency 
food aid and agricultural rehabilitation assistance.  At least 800,000 
more persons remain vulnerable.  Community livelihoods (livestock, 
agriculture, small business) are in extremely fragile states with 
livestock numbers falling drastically.

Food shortages and loss of livestock are expected to become increasingly 
more critical in the coming months and the number of at-risk persons 
could double.  Women and children are the most vulnerable, while 
migrating men and their livestock in search of food and water are both 
succumbing to weakness in isolated areas.


CWS RESPONSE:

CWS will support the work of partners and Action By Churches Together 
(ACT) members Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus -- Development 
and Social Services Commission (EECMY-DASSC), Ethiopian Orthodox Church 
Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission (EOC-DICAC), SOS Sahel, and 
the Gudina Tumsa Foundation (GMT).

These groups are coordinating direct assistance through area synods or 
churches, and local community partners.  Project implementation 
includes:  food relief, agricultural rehabilitation inputs (seeds and 
tools), water, livestock feed, and capacity building in 16 woredas or 
districts, in four regions of the country -- Afar, Amhara, Oromiya, and 
SNNP.

Goals and Objectives:

Afar

6,000 households will receive seeds and tools (20 kg mixed seed, set of 
three farm tools each)

Water systems (spring or hand dug wells) for 800 households (4,000 
people)


Amhara

1,600 households will receive direct food assistance (15 kg/mo) and 
household utensils

7,700 households will receive seeds (20 kg. Mixed seed bag per 
household)

7,340 households will receive set of three farm tools (hoe, shovel, 
sickle)

1,400 households will receive livestock (2 head each, either sheep or 
goat)

Water systems (spring or hand dug wells) for 3,850 households (19,250 
persons)

Capacity building: 50 persons will receive training in water management 
and system maintenance


Oromiya

27,242 households will receive seed and tool packages (20 kg seeds; set 
of tools)

150 households in Robe Woreda will receive two heads livestock (sheep or 
goat)

Approximately 5,000 households (25,000 people) will have improved water 
supply throught a combination of installation of 10,000 liter water 
tanks and rehabilitation of traditional water sources and ponds

8,000 households will receive livestock feed

30 community members will be trained in water management and system 
maintenance


SNNPR

1,650 households will receive mixed seed (20 kg seeds per household)

1,650 persons will receive set of three farm tools (hoe, shovel, and 
sickle)


Due to the gravity of the situation and the need to respond quickly, CWS 
encourages immediate support for this appeal -- Ethiopia Relief and Food 
Security (Acct. #641-K).  The appeal goal is 200,000 in support of the 
targeted initial funding request from ACT (ref. AFET61) for $2,172,380. 
Contributions to support this appeal may be sent to your denomination or 
directly to:

Church World Service
Ethiopia Relief and Food Security (Acct. #641-K)
P.O. Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is 
responding -- or to make a credit card contribution -- please visit the 
Church World Service Website at www.churchworldservice.org or phone 
(800) 297-1516.

CWS Emergency Response Program special contacts: (212) 870-3151;

International: dderr@churchworldservice.org
Domestic: lreedbrown@churchworldservice.org

CWS / ERP web site: www.cwserp.org


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