OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
13 February 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

THE 2007 JOINT HUMANITARIAN APPEAL LAUNCHED

The 2007 Joint Humanitarian Appeal for Ethiopia was launched on Monday, 
12 February seeking a total of US$ 179,338,641 to address food and 
non-food sectoral requirements. An improved food security situation is 
anticipated for 2007 due to an expected increased harvest in many parts 
of the country. As such, a new approach has been introduced in the way 
the Government with assistance from the humanitarian partners addresses 
emergency needs and allocates resources. This year, allocation will be 
determined by more specific area-by-area and case-by-case assessments, 
in order to ensure those in most need of relief items are reached. As 
part of this new approach, emergency beneficiaries identified in 
Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) woredas will be addressed through 
existing safety net resources. Despite the good food prospects, however, 
an estimated 1.36 million people will require emergency food assistance, 
due to severe impacts of flooding, localized agricultural production 
failure and other shocks. The total emergency food required for the year 
is estimated to be 150,580 MT, of which 90,000 MT is carry-over pledges 
and stock from 2006, leaving a net requirement of 60,580 MT. In 
addition, approximately US$ 128,944,600 is required to address non-food 
sector needs including outstanding flood rehabilitation and recovery 
requirements.  For more information contact: ocha-eth@un.org

AWD: MAJOR CONCERN IN AFAR, OROMIYA AND SOMALI REGIONS

While cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) are decreasing nationwide, 
new woredas continue to be affected. AWD cases in Afar, Oromiya and 
Somali Regions are particularly worrisome with increasing new cases 
reported last week. Over 1,400 people have so far been affected in 
Gewane, Bure Mudayitu and Amibara woredas, zone three, and Afambo 
woreda, zone one in Afar, with 52 deaths reported in January. The AWD 
pathogen is believed to have spread to Afar through labour migration 
from other regions. The Government together with humanitarian partners 
including UNICEF, CARE, PSI, APDA and OXFAM are providing water and 
environmental sanitation supplies and awareness raising campaigns among 
other interventions. The region has also formed a taskforce to oversee 
and coordinate efforts.  In Oromiya Region, more than 400 people are now 
affected in Ginir and Goro woredas, Bale zone with 20 deaths reported to 
date. The disease continues to spread in Bale despite the implementation 
of control measures. Meanwhile, the situation in Somali Region remains 
of concern with 73 serious cases admitted for hospitalization in 
Kebridehar town, Korahe zone. While case management, treatment and 
control measures are underway, limited resources are overwhelmed by 
increasing caseloads. The total number of cases nationwide has now 
reached 55,652 with 598 deaths. Contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org, 
ocha-eth@un.org and igetachew@unicef.org

UNFPA ASSESSMENT ADDRESSES GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN EMERGENCIES

UNFPA has commenced a comprehensive two month assessment on the impact 
of humanitarian situations and crises on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in 
Ethiopia. The assessment has two main objectives: to provide evidence 
based data on the nature and prevalence of GBV in such situations, and 
to produce recommendations and an appropriate response for the National 
Strategy on GBV to be drafted later this year. A parallel assessment 
will be conducted in Shimelba and Kebri Beyah refugee camps in order to 
review existing services to victims of GBV in these camps and to develop 
an action plan to cover the gaps.  For more information contact: 
arrault@unfpa.org

NUER COMMUNITY PEACE-BUILDING MEETING TO BE HELD IN GAMBELLA

Leaders of the Lou and Jikany Nuer, neighbouring pastoral groups along 
the Ethiopian-Sudanese border, plan to meet next month to continue a 
community-driven peace-building process that began last year when the 
groups unexpectedly declared a truce ending 14 years of conflict. The 
meeting is the product of intensive discussions involving the Lou Nuer, 
the Jikany Nuer, the Government of Ethiopia, the Government of South 
Sudan, the UN OCHA Pastoralist Communication Initiative (UN OCHA-PCI), 
PACT and civil society organisations. The event will be held in the 
remote Western Ethiopian town of Tiergol and is expected to involve 300 
delegates in the hope of formulating a plan with the endorsement of 
state officials to ensure peace continues along the border between 
Ethiopia's Gambella region and South Sudan's Akobo district. The meeting 
due to take place between 12-18 March is expected to end with the 
communities making a formal commitment to peace and a statement of the 
guiding principles and next steps for continuing the peace dialogue. For 
more information contact: info@unocha-pci.org

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