OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
21 May 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

GAMBELLA UPDATE

Return movements of IDPs from Itang to Akobo woreda and other areas in 
the west of Gambella Region continue this week.  In addition to those 
recently displaced by the Sudanese Murle incursions, communities 
displaced by previous conflicts are now among those returning to their 
places of origin with road transport support provided by regional 
authorities. Such large movements combined with the onset of the rainy 
season have increased fears of a potential disease outbreak along 
transit routes. Already a suspected Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) 
outbreak has been successfully contained by MSF Switzerland in Burubey. 
In addition to AWD prevention and preparedness activities, these groups 
on the move continue to need food and non-food assistance. OCHA is 
currently considering applications to its Humanitarian Response Fund 
(HRF) for NFI assistance. In the meantime, Action by Churches 
Together/Coordination Office (ACT/CO) in Geneva has provided US$ 50,000 
to their local implementing partner Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane 
Yesus (EECMY) to address the NFI needs of those affected by the Murle 
attacks. Meanwhile the Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness 
Agency (DPPA) has allocated one month relief food to 11 woredas based on 
the recommendations of the verification assessment team that was 
deployed following the region's request for assistance. In addition, the 
Regional Disaster Prevention Food Security Bureau (RDPFSB) has requested 
assistance from both the DPPA and the UN for humanitarian and 
resettlement assistance for some of the affected population. The UN has 
expressed concerns regarding security of civilian populations moving 
into Akobo where previous conflict has occurred. An attempt is being 
made to bring Lou and Jikany Nuer leaders together for discussion to 
prevent possible renewal of conflict in Tiergol, Akobo. For more 
information please contact: em.ethopia@dca.dk, ocha-eth@un.org and 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

CONCERNS OVER WATER AND PASTURE SITUATION IN AFAR

According to WFP, the water and pasture situation in parts of Chifra, 
Dupti and Mille woredas in Zone 1 of Afar is reportedly of concern. 
Unusual herd migrations to eastern woredas of Amhara Region in search of 
water and pasture have been observed, which has reportedly increased 
pressure on scarce resources and in some instances caused conflict 
between migrants and host communities. Education has also been adversely 
affected with reports of students dropping out to travel in search of 
resources with their families and herds. For more information please 
contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

AWD UPDATE

This week there were new 484 Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) cases and 3 
deaths reported nationwide: Oromiya ? 203 cases; SNNPR ? 12 cases; Afar 
? 26 cases; Somali -10 cases and Harari - 233 cases. Reports from the 
Regional Health Bureau in Somali Region indicate that the situation 
there is precarious with more than 1,250 cases reported from seven 
woredas in the first week of May. Cases are primarily being reported 
from Degehabur (806) and Dolobay (140). In Amhara Region, WHO report 
that four woredas in Oromiya zone are affected by AWD with 86 cases and 
2 deaths reported since the beginning of April.  The Zonal Health Office 
has distributed water treatment chemicals but has a shortage of drugs 
and medical supplies to adequately respond in affected areas. WHO 
consultants are currently posted in affected districts of Harari, Dire 
Dawa and Oromiya regions in order to support woreda health offices 
efforts to control the disease. Moreover, WHO are supporting the 
Ethiopian Red Cross Society's (ERCS) community education in Borena zone, 
Oromiya. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

UNHCR TO STRENGTHEN PRESENCE IN SOMALI REGION

UNHCR plans to strengthen its presence in Somali Regional State with 
short term deployment of a ten person emergency team to Jijiga and Gode. 
The team that has been provided by UNHCR Headquarters will assist with 
the ongoing screening of newly arrived Somali asylum seekers and 
refugees. In Jijiga, the team will assist with the planned relocation of 
new Somali refugees from Kebribeyah and Hartisheik camps to a new site 
at Teferiber. A new UNHCR office will be established in Gode, with six 
members of the team helping set up the office. Those stationed at Gode 
will conduct assessments and survey border areas in order to determine 
the presence of Somali asylum seekers in border areas. For more 
information contact: gegziabk@unhcr.org

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