OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
9 April 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

AWD UPDATE

Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) continues to be of major concern with 
increased reports of newly affected woredas. During the week 511 new 
cases with three deaths - CFR 0.6% - were reported nationwide. 
Majority of cases are reported from Dalo-Mana, Girja and Abaya woredas 
in Oromiya Region and Gedeo zone in SNNPR. The swift spread of the 
disease in these woredas is due to inadequate availability of safe 
drinking water and sanitation facilities as well as poor hygiene 
awareness. WHO and UNICEF have deployed health consultants to provide 
technical assistance to the Regional Health Bureaus as well as zonal and 
woreda bureaus in affected regions. Meanwhile, a WHO team conducted 
rapid assessments in newly affected woredas of Oromiya, SNNP, Afar and 
Somali regions. The team also trained health workers on case management 
and reactivated health coordination committees in Bale and Guji zones. 
In addition, UNICEF, OXFAM and CARE are actively engaged in improving 
water supply systems as well as community awareness in affected areas. 
For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

VERFICATION ASSESSMENT TEAMS TO BE DEPLOYED IN OROMIYA AND SNNP REGIONS

In line with the DPPA led Monitoring Sub Group proposal, the DPPA plans 
to undertake rapid verification assessments in Oromiya and SNNPR that 
have requested immediate food assistance. The Oromiya assessment, 
covering 11 woredas in five zones, is tentatively planned to commence on 
April 12 while that of SNNPR covering three woredas in Wolayita zone is 
scheduled to start on April 18. For more information contact: 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

SITUATION UPDATE

A recent monitoring visit by WFP to Shinile zone, Somali Region 
indicates that pasture is getting scarce in both Shinile and Erer 
woredas due to the long dry season that is now extending into its fifth 
month. Gu rains, due to commence from third week of March, have so far 
been light and sporadic. Water supply shortage is experienced in 
northern parts of Erer woreda, although the situation of some kebeles 
that have recently received 1-2 days of rain has slightly improved. 
Moreover, there are reports of unusual migrations of cattle and camels 
to Afdem woreda of Shinile zone and the neighboring Oromiya Region. Milk 
production is also reported to be very low owing to migration and poor 
condition of remaining livestock. In Afar Region, the belg/sugum rains 
have so far been light and limited to a few areas in Zones 3 and 5. 
Livestock movements, mainly from parts of zones 2 and 4 to adjacent 
regions of Tigray and Amhara have been observed due to water and feed 
shortages. In addition, slight declines in the physical conditions of 
livestock has been noted, but it is not yet of concern. Food security 
situation in the region generally remains stable. For more information 
contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

REPATRIATION OF SUDANESE REFUGEES

Voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees from Ethiopia continued with 
1,138 refugees departing to Southern Sudan between 1 and 2 April 2007. A 
total of 518 people from Fugnido camp returned to Pagak and Maiwut in 
Upper Nile State on 1 April and a convoy from Bonga camp took 620 
returnees to the Blue Nile State of South Sudan on 2 April. For more 
information contact: gegziabk@unhcr.org

CHILD CARE PRACTICES KEY UNDERLYING CAUSES OF CHILD MALNUTRITION

Preliminary findings of a recent WFP funded study reports that harmful 
child care practices at household levels are one of the key underlying 
causes of young child malnutrition in Ethiopia. The study - Child Caring 
Practices as Underlying Causes of Young Child Malnutrition in Rural 
Ethiopia - was conducted in Sidama zone (SNNPR) and East Hararghe zone 
(Oromiya Region). Major recommendations include strengthening of health 
extension workers training at woreda health office level; increasing the 
provision of educational materials at health post level; expanding radio 
programming for nutrition and health education; and increasing growth 
monitoring promotion. For more information contact: 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

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