OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Ethiopia: Acute Watery Diarrhea
17 August 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This report is based on information received from OCHA Ethiopia.

Situation

1. There was an Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) outbreak in Gambella Region 
in April 2006 which was confined to that region. However in June 2006 
West Arsi Zone, Oromiya Region had reported cases of AWD in 15 woredas. 
This region is located along a main transport route causing the disease 
to spread rapidly to six woredas in the neighbouring Southern Nations 
Nationalities and People Region by July.  Efforts to contain the disease 
have not been successful and cases have now been confirmed in the 
capital Addis Ababa and as far south as Guji zone about 200 kms from the 
border with Kenya.

2. A joint mission comprised of UNICEF, WHO, OCHA, and Government 
representatives undertook an assessment of the situation in West Arsi 
zone from 4th -8th August. Preliminary data indicate that there have 
been a total of 10,966 cases and 132 deaths since the outbreak. 10,011 
cases have been confirmed and 93 deaths in West Arsi zone, 943 cases and 
32 fatalities are reported in Guji zone. One death and five cases have 
also been confirmed in Addis Ababa.

National and International Response

1. The information from the assessment team comprising UNICEF, WHO, 
OCHA, the Federal Ministry of Health and Regional Health Bureau that 
visited the most affected areas from 4th - 8th August have informed the 
humanitarian response.

2. The Regional Health Bureaus, UNICEF, WHO, MSF, Merlin, PSI and ACF 
are currently working on treatment, prevention and control including IEC 
materials.

3. Coordination efforts have been strong at the regional level. The 
Oromiya Regional Health Bureau and the Oromiya Regional President's 
Office convened a meeting on the 11th August to discuss a coordinated 
Response Plan to the epidemic.

4. Oromiya Regional Health Bureau and UNICEF took the lead on developing 
a comprehensive regional response plan with technical support and advice 
contributed from the UN family and its NGO partners. As a result, the 
Oromiya Regional Health Response Plan will be finalized today, 17th 
August 2006.

5. At the federal level, a joint WHO/ Ministry of Health proposal 
requests funding on Epidemic Preparedness and Response to AWD in 
Ethiopia stating that the 'causative agents of Acute watery Diarrhea' 
are, 'Vibrio cholerae serogroups O1 and V.cholerae O139 are associated 
with epidemic Watery Diarrhea.'

6. There are currently 44 Case Treatment Centres (CTCs) serving the 
affected populations. The MOH has deployed additional staff to the CTCs.

7. NGO partners are providing training to the CTC staff. Further 
training is required especially in the area of hygiene and sanitation.

8. OCHA is supporting the coordination efforts at both regional and 
national levels.

9. The UN Family through OCHA has planned to release $400,000 USD to 
assist the response efforts.

Gaps in the Humanitarian Response

10. The Oromiya Regional Response plan to AWD estimates that over $8 
million USD is needed immediately to contain this epidemic.

11. At the federal level, the joint WHO/ Ministry of Health proposal 
requests over $1.5 million USD.

12. AWD has not been contained to the regions and is spreading at an 
alarming rate. Containment is a major concern as the disease is now 
threatening a much larger population. It is now beyond the control of 
the regional authorities. A clear federal response coordinated by the 
MOH is needed.

13. There is a coordination gap most notably at national level but 
strong coordination support at regional, zonal and woreda levels is also 
required.

14. Human Resources is a major problem that is likely to escalate if AWD 
is not contained. Currently the MOH has increased staff at CTCs by 
deploying medical and nursing students. However a national response to 
the human resource problem is needed.

15. NGO's are currently training CTC staff on prevention and control of 
AWD including hygiene and sanitation. However there is a gap in raising 
community awareness to promote good hygiene and sanitation practices to 
prevent and control the disease. Immediate isolation of infected persons 
is required.

16. Other immediate gaps include medical supplies, logistics, support 
for ORP system, community based hygiene, sanitation and water 
distribution support.

17. This situation report, together with further information on other 
ongoing emergencies is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at 
http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel.   +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officer:
  Mr. Ousmane Watt
    E-mail: watto@un.org
    Direct Tel. +41-22-917 22 40
  Mr. Alfred Nabeta
    E-mail: nabeta@un.org
    Direct Tel. +41-22-917 27 32

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917-367 51 26

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