OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
11 December 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

FLOOD RESPONSE CONTINUES

Since the beginning of the WFP assisted air operation more than 80 
tonnes of essential food and non-food items have been airlifted to 
Mustahil, East Imi and West Imi woredas. A multi-agency assessment team 
accompanying the first flight into East and West Imi on 4 December 
reported a severe shortage of food, non-food items, health services and 
mosquito nets. In addition to increased malaria, AWD cases were also 
reported in both West and East Imi. Essential drugs followed by food and 
non-food items have been identified as prioritised needs for West Imi. 
Moreover, 75,000 people were estimated to be in need of food assistance 
by the team. Food shortage is also critical in East Imi.  Some trucks 
transporting food items have managed to reach West Imi despite difficult 
road conditions. Access by road to East Imi, however, remains impassable 
with access now only possible by boat from West Imi.  In addition, 
approximately 502 tonnes of food has been distributed to 58,891 
beneficiaries' in Kelafo woreda. Three kebeles, however, remain 
inaccessible by road. The local administration is encouraging 
beneficiaries to collect rations by foot. In Mustahil, 617 tonnes of 
food has been received to date, of which 571 tonnes have been 
distributed. Furthermore, 46 tonnes of food destined to Dodomoqaris 
kebele is still stored in Mustahil town. The December food allocation 
has started to arrive in Mustahil. In addition, German Agro Action (GAA) 
and its Ethiopian partner Wabi Shebele Development Association (WASDA) 
will be commencing rehabilitation projects in Kelafo and Mustahil 
woredas. The projects will include integrated training in water, 
sanitation and hygiene matters, rehabilitation of existing water-points 
and new wells constructed. For more information contact: 
gaa.eth@ethionet.et, wfp.addisababa@wfp.org and ocha-eth@un.org

AWD UPDATE

The Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) epidemic continues with two new 
affected zones. North Wollo, Amhara Region and East Shewa, Oromiya 
Region are now reporting cases for the first time. To date, 42,953 cases 
with 455 deaths have been reported in Addis Ababa, Oromiya, SNNP, 
Tigray, Afar, Amhara and Somali regions. In addition, unconfirmed 
reports of AWD cases and deaths continue from Gode zone, Somali Region. 
For more information contact: ocha-eth@un.org and 
who-wro@et.afro.who.int

JOINT FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY ASSESSMENT MISSION

The annual WFP/FAO Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission (CFSAM) took 
place from the 13 November to 3 December 2006 providing information on 
the food and non-food needs and imminent food security problems in the 
country. The CFSAM FAO sub-mission assessed all zones in Tigray, Afar, 
Amhara, Oromiya, SNNP and Beneshangul Gumuz regions primarily auditing 
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's (MoARD) cereal and 
pulse production estimates. In addition, the CFSAM WFP mission deployed 
two teams to examine food security issues such as nutritional 
situations, food access and the role of markets at community and 
household levels. WFP focused on selected zones in Oromiya, SNNP, 
Amhara, Afar and Tigray regions.  For more information contact: 
fao-ethiopia@fao.org and wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

STATUS OF RELIEF FOOD DISPATCH

The Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) is 
currently dispatching October's relief food for Somali, Oromiya and 
Amhara Regions. As of 1 December, a total of 6,232 tonnes or 42 percent 
of the allocated 14,806 tonnes have been transported to the regions. 
DPPA has also allocated 9, 980 tonnes of food for November for Oromiya, 
Amhara, Somali, SNNP regions and Dire-Dawa Administration. Out of which, 
860 tonnes is allocated for recent Gode flood victims and IDPs in Afder 
zone. Furthermore, the DPPA is currently processing the December 
allocation for Somali Region's regular food aid beneficiaries. For more 
information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -