OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
26 March 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

AWD UPDATE

AWD continues to be of concern in Afar Region with reports of more than 
6,000 cases and 240 deaths in 17 woredas since September 2006. The 
situation is exacerbated by poor case management, limited facilities and 
shortage of health professionals in the CTCs. Most CTCs are located in 
remote inaccessible areas. To highlight the need for urgent action, the 
Minister of Water Resources visited the region last week. An AWD 
response plan developed with technical support from the joint advisory 
mission is awaiting the region's endorsement. UNICEF redirected an EMWAT 
kit from Gambella to supply the worst affected woredas of Gewane and 
Buri Mudaitu woredas. In Somali Region despite a slight decrease in 
numbers of cases, the disease continues to spread to new areas. A 
response plan has been prepared and the regional Emergency WASH 
Taskforce in Jijiga has been reactivated. Meanwhile, UNICEF and 
MSF-Belgium are supporting training of regional and zonal Water and 
Health Bureau Officers on AWD prevention and control including case 
management; further training will take place in Gode and Filtu in the 
coming days. Meanwhile in SNNPR, Oxfam GB has reported that six new 
woredas in Gedeo zone have been recently affected. Moreover, the 
situation in Bale zone, Oromiya Region continues to be of concern. For 
more information contact: ocha-eth@un.org

GU RAINS IN SOMALI REGION

Recent reports from Somali Region indicate that Jijiga town and its 
vicinity have started receiving rains.  This might signal the onset of 
gu rains that usually start between the last dekad of March and the 
first dekad of April. The rains are anticipated to alleviate water 
shortages in some woredas of the region. Nevertheless, vast areas of 
pastures have been destroyed by wild fires in parts of Chereti woreda of 
Afder zone of the region. For more information contact: 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

MIGRATION IN EAST HARERGHE ZONE, OROMIYA REGION

According to WFP, more than 65 households have migrated from Chenaksen 
woreda of East Hararghe zone in search of employment due to food 
shortage. Further migrations are anticipated to increase in the coming 
weeks unless immediate food interventions take place. The federal 
Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Agency (DPPA) is planning to 
conduct a rapid assessment to further assess the situation. Meanwhile, 
DPPA has dispatched 90 percent of March's allocation of 396 tons of 
relief food for approximately 21,240 emergency beneficiaries in Tocha 
and Mareka woredas of Dawro zone in SNNPR. In addition, GOAL is 
undertaking a US$ 50,000 capacity strengthening program with the bureau 
of health in Derashe Special Woreda and Aroresa woreda in SNNPR funded 
by USAID/OFDA Furthermore, the organization plans to establish a CTC in 
these woredas as requirements arise. For more information contact: 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

NEW VACCINE INTRODUCED

The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and partners including UNICEF and 
WHO launched a five-in-one vaccine in Jijiga town on 23 March 2007 - an 
upgrade from the previous three-in-one package. In addition to the 
regular vaccinations for measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tentanus, polio 
and tuberculosis, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation 
(GAVI) has supported the inclusion of Hepatitis B and Haemophilus 
Influenzae.  The vaccine has been tested and pre-qualified by WHO and 
has no distinct adverse effect. It also reduces mothers' frequency of 
visits to health centers and is convenient for health care providers. 
For more information contact: aingabire@unicef.org

OVER 10,000 SUDANESE REFUGEES REPATRIATED

One year since UNHCR commenced the repatriation of Sudanese refugees 
from Ethiopia, over 10,000 have safely returned home.  Further convoys 
are expected to continue until the onset of the rainy season in the 
area. There are currently five refugee camps hosting Sudanese in 
Ethiopia. UNHCR plans to close Yarenja camp at the end of this month if 
its repatriation programme goes according to plan. For more information 
contact: gegziabk@unhcr.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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -