OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
Report for May 2007
6 June 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE: REGIONAL OVERVIEW

NEWS - ACUTE WATERY DIARRHOEA UPDATE

UPCOMING & ONGOING MEETINGS

Focus on Ethiopia is produced by UN Office for the Coordination of 
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in collaboration with other UN agencies and 
partner NGOs. Focus on Ethiopia provides a monthly overview of 
humanitarian trends and activities in Ethiopia, as well as focusing on 
particular issues of interest. Send comments, suggestions and 
contributions to ocha-eth@un.org

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

SOMALI

The food security situation in Somali Region requires close monitoring 
due to poor performance of gu rains and increased reports of Acute 
Watery Diarrhoea (AWD).

Security is also of great concern in the area. Incidences including the 
recent bombing in Jijiga and Degehabur zones, which killed 15 
individuals and injured many including the regional president, 
illustrate the deterioration of the security situation in the region. 
Security has already posed a challenge for humanitarian response and 
access. In particular it has deterred efficient and timely AWD 
interventions.

Although the onset of gu rains was generally good in most parts of the 
region, they have been erratic, unevenly distributed and inefficient in 
parts of Fik, Korahe, Warder, Afder and Liben zones. A one month dry 
spell has been reported in most areas affecting the pasture and water 
availability both for human and livestock consumption. A water shortage 
problem in chronically water insecure areas of Geladi, Aysha, Filtu and 
Guuagado is likely to exacerbate in the coming months.

During the month, AWD has escalated in most areas. Response has been 
poor with the deteriorating security situation. Out of the 27 woredas 
affected 14 continue to report cases. WHO is facilitating the 
re-activation of the AWD regional co-ordination. Moreover, in Jijiga 
town, a team comprised of the Federal Minstry of Health (MoH), Regional 
Health Bureau (RHB), Jijiga hospital laboratory and WHO confirmed the 
presence of AWD in the Sisters of Charity camp which hosts approximately 
500 Somali refugees. Absence of clean drinking water, poor sanitation, 
and a lack of community education programs have exacerbated the 
outbreak. A committee comprised of the RHB and partners has been set up 
to strategize the response in the camp.

Moreover, prevalence of malnutrition continues to be a concern in 
Dolobay and Dolo Odo woredas according to Save the Children US. The 
livestock physical condition is normal. An unknown camel disease has 
continued to kill a significant number of livestock in Filtu, Moyale and 
Hudet woredas, Liben zone. The Zonal Agricultural Bureau supported by 
LIVA and PCAE has treated several thousand animals.

The terms of trade has deteriorated for pastoralists during the month, 
largely because food prices have risen and livestock prices have 
declined.

The number of asylum seekers crossing the border from Somalia has 
increased. A total of 4,000 asylum seekers have been residing in 
Kebribeyha and Hartishek woredasand as many as 16,000 in southern parts 
of the region including Gode, Afder, and Liben zones. To date, UNHCR has 
registered 1,500 refugees in Jijiga zone. There is a plan to relocate 
the new Somali refugees from Kebribeyah and Hartisheik camps to a new 
site at Teferiber.

Meanwhile, UNHCR plans to strengthen its presence in the region 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. In Jijiga, 
the team will assist with the planned relocation of new Somali refugees 
from Kebribeyah and Hartisheik camps to the 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.

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