OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
16 April 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

CONFLICT IN GAMBELLA REGION

Since the beginning of the year ongoing cross border tribal attacks by 
Sudanese Murle on Ethiopian Annuak and Nuer have resulted in widespread 
displacement, unconfirmed deaths and casualties in Gambella Regional 
State. Those displaced by the conflict are seeking temporary shelter at 
Chentua, six hours walking distance from their villages. Reports from 
ZOA Refugee Care indicate that those displaced have fled without any 
belongings as their huts and possessions were destroyed by fire in the 
conflict. ZOA Refugee Care and the Regional Disaster Prevention and 
Preparedness Food Security Bureau (DPPFSB) have left for Jor woreda to 
assess the situation. The assessment mission is expected to return on 14 
April. Meanwhile, the joint Government-Humanitarian verification team 
deployed to assess the region's request for assistance is expected to 
return at the end of this week. For more information contact: 
zoa.ethiopia@ethionet.et

FLASH FLOODS HIT DIRE DAWA

Following heavy rainfall, the city of Dire Dawa experienced flash 
flooding on April 12. There are no reports of casualties, although the 
flooding was reportedly intense, as warning messages allowed people to 
move to higher ground. Several houses and infrastructure, such as 
electric poles, water pipes, roads and flood protection walls have been 
damaged leading to the displacement of some households and the 
disruption of services. The Regional Disaster Prevention and 
Preparedness Bureau (DPPB) have commenced registering of those affected 
and preparedness measures are ongoing.  The community is filling 
sandbags and duty machinery has been deployed to strengthen the river 
banks. The city was one of the worst affected by last year's nationwide 
flooding. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

BELOW AVERAGE BELG HARVEST EXPECTED

According to WFP below average belg harvest is anticipated this year 
based on the performance of the season. Delayed onset of belg rains 
coupled with a three-to-four week dry spell in February/March is 
expected to have a negative impact on crop production and yields in the 
belg - growing areas of Oromiya and SNNPR. In addition to pocket areas 
affected by moisture stress, rainfall information from the National 
Meteorological Agency and remotely sensed satellite data indicate poor 
performance in Amhara and Tigray. For more information contact: 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

AWD UPDATE

Efforts by various actors to combat the spread of AWD continue. 
Approximately 70 health personnel from Somali Region have now been 
trained by those that took part in Training of Trainers supported by 
UNICEF, MSF-Belgium and IRC last month. UNICEF is also in the process of 
sending 30,000 bottles of Water Guard and more than six thousand sachets 
of PUR water purification chemicals to Gedeo Zone in SNNPR through Oxfam 
GB. Meanwhile, the situation continues to be of concern in Oromiya 
(Jimma Zone), Afar (zones 3 and 5), SNNP (Gedeo zone) and Somali (Gode 
and Lieben zones) Regions. UNICEF is currently soliciting partners to 
support these regions through CERF funding in the areas of small-scale 
water supply, improving sanitation, hygiene promotion and community 
mobilisation and dialogue.  For more information contact: 
aingabire@unicef.org

LOCUST OUTBREAK IN EASTERN ETHIOPIA

WFP has reported a desert locust outbreak in parts of Denbel, Aisha and 
Afdem woredas in Shinnile zone, Somali Region leading to fears that 
pasture and browse availability will deteriorate unless immediate 
control measures are implemented. The presence of desert locust in 
Somali Region is part of a wider regional desert locust outbreak 
affecting the Red Sea coastal plains near the Sudan ? Eritrea border and 
areas in northern Somali along the border with Djibouti. Ethiopia faces 
a significant risk of further locust infestations from April as wet and 
warm conditions could further aggravate the situation. For more 
information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

REPATRIATION OF SUDANESE REFUGEES CONTINUES

Repatriation of Sudanese refugees continued with approximately 1,785 
refugees repatriating during the week.  Approximately 720 refugees 
departed to Blue Nile State from Bonga camp, 543 others left Fugnido 
camp for Upper Nile State, and the remaining 520 people departed from 
Dimma camp to Upper Nile State. The camps are located in the Gambella 
Regional State. As of 13 April 11, 398 Sudanese refugees have returned 
to their country in an organized manner in 2007.  For more information 
contact: gegziabk@unhcr.org

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