OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
24 October 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

FEARS OF MENINGITIS OUTBREAK IN SNNPR

The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) reported 596 suspected cases of 
Meningitis with 10 deaths in Wolayta zone of SNNPR during the last ten 
days. Last week, three samples were sent to Addis and only one tested 
positive for meningococcal meningitis. The FMoH has sent Meningitis 
Rapid diagnostic kits to 11 regions. Earlier this year, a total of 621 
cases with 32 deaths were reported from three regions. The suspected 
outbreak is competing for the limited allocated health and financial 
resources in these regions. In June 2006, the FMoH launched an appeal 
for USD 2.6 million for the control of meningococcal meningitis epidemic 
in Ethiopia. During a meeting earlier this week, the Ministry noted that 
there are only 625,000 doses of vaccine secured at the Federal level, 
and subsequently after, UNICEF has ordered one million doses of AD 
syringes and vaccines. For more information contact mapted@unicef.org

AWD UPDATE

Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) continues to be reported across the 
country, with a total of 29,880 cases and 279 deaths reported to date. 
Meanwhile, in response to the AWD outbreak and its alarming spread in 
Amhara Region, Government bureaus, UN agencies and NGOs collaborated to 
support the training of approximately 60 health and water professionals 
from 12 woredas. The training covered all aspects of AWD response 
including case management, hygiene and sanitation and isolation 
procedures along with surveillance, coordination and logistics. The 
Regional Health Bureau (RHB), Regional Water Bureau (RWB), OXFAM-GB, 
UNICEF, MSF-G, MSF-H, PSI, WHO and representatives from West Arsi in 
Oromia region Health Bureaus took part in the process. UNICEF provided 7 
truck loads of NFIs and medicines and a mobile health team. It also 
provides support for WES coordination. ERCS / IFRC have also provided 
one treatment kit and have been involved in water, hygiene and 
sanitation discussions for planning responses in the region. Meanwhile, 
a recent MSF-France AWD assessment in Afdera town in Afar region 
reported 84 cases with 11 deaths. MSF-France plans to provide AWD 
response in the area. For more information contact mapted@unicef.org and 
msff-addis-abeba@paris.msf.org

POOR DEYR RAINS IN SOMALI REGION

The food security situation in some areas in Somali Region is feared to 
be further deteriorating following the poor performance of the current 
deyr rains so far. Severe water shortage is reported particularly in 
areas around Shekosh, Shilabo, Debewoin and Kebridehar woredas in Korahe 
zone; nevertheless, according to Action Contre la Faim (ACF), Kebridehar 
woreda in this zone received good rains in the last few days. Clan 
conflict mainly over natural resources in West-Imi woreda of Afder zone 
and Kelafo woreda of Gode zone is also reported to be aggravating the 
existing food insecurity. The clashes resulted in loss of lives, 
displacements, damage to properties and disruption of livelihoods. 
Similar ethnic conflict between the Somalis and the Oromos in Mieso 
woreda of Shinile zone has also disrupted crop cultivation. On the other 
hand, in the Northern part of Somali Region that have received good 
Karma rains, pasture and browse situation have improved significantly. 
For more information contact wfp.addisababa@wfp.org and aicf@ethionet.et

RELIEF DISPATCHES UPDATE

DPPA has made the eleventh round relief food allocation to 81,890 
beneficiaries in Amhara; 446,580 in Oromiya; 38,300 in SNNP; and 10,000 
flood-affected people in Dire Dawa town. For Somali Region, the DPPA 
plans to allocate 10,000 tons of grains for 666,670 beneficiaries for 
the seventh round of allocations which represents 41% of the 
beneficiaries identified through the mid-year needs' assessment in 2006. 
DPPA has asked both Somali and Oromiya regions to prioritize areas for 
food delivery for the next round of allocations due to anticipation of a 
pipeline break foreseen in November. The dispatches of the eleventh 
round of allocations are underway with 95 % dispatched to Oromiya, 82% 
to Amhara and 12% to SNNPR. For more information contact 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

ICRC WITH ERCS PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THE DISPLACED IN ILUBABOR AND 
JIMMA

Following recent clashes in Ilubabor and Jimma, the International 
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) together with Ethiopian Red Cross 
Society (ERCS) conducted a humanitarian assessment in the area to 
identify the needs of the affected communities. ICRC provided non-food 
items including essential drugs, blankets, jerry cans, buckets, soaps, 
plastic mats and tarpaulins. In addition, ICRC also facilitated the 
constructions of latrines by ERCS for displaced persons. For more 
information jeglin.add@icrc.org

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