OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
22 January 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

ACUTE WATERY DIARRHOEA (AWD) UPDATE

A total of 52,412 AWD cases with 569 deaths are reported nationwide to 
date. Reports from the Oromiya Regional Health Bureau (RHB) indicate 
that AWD is escalating in Bale zone; an assessment team comprised of the 
RHB and WHO has been deployed to the zone to verify the situation. WHO 
has allocated US$ 6,300 to Oromiya Region for AWD surveillance and early 
warning systems training. Furthermore, WHO in consultation with Oromyia 
RHB, will assign another health consultant in addition to the two 
already working in the region. Meanwhile, AWD cases have intensified in 
Gode town following the breakdown of a motorised well forcing people to 
source drinking water from potentially contaminated sources. Federal 
Ministry of Health (FMOH) with support from UNICEF plans to install an 
EMWAT water purification kit in the town. Additional water and 
sanitation interventions, however, are required to address the shortage 
of clean water supply in the area. For further information 
contact:who-wro@et.afro.who.int

RISK OF RIFT VALLEY FEVER IN ETHIOPIA

Following reports of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) cases in Kenya, 
surveillance of the disease in areas bordering Kenya has commenced by 
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD) and FMOH. As part 
of preparedness and preventative interventions, two assessment teams 
have departed to the Somali Region and South Omo zone in SNNPR to assess 
the risk as well as to raise community awareness. The teams, comprised 
of MoARD, FMOH, WHO and FAO, will report back to the National 
Coordination Committee chaired by MoARD. Although, surveillance started 
on 20th December, no cases are reported in Ethiopia so far. 
Furthermore, FMOH and MoARD in collaboration with WHO and FAO organised 
a meeting last week to brief partners on the RVF situation in 
neighbouring countries as well as preventive actions taken by Ethiopia. 
It is anticipated that the risk of an outbreak in Ethiopia will reduce 
with the onset of the coming dry season. For further information 
contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int or fao-ethiopia@fao.org

UN OCHA -PCI LAUNCHED REPORT ON PASTORALISM IN ETHIOPIA

"The Future of Pastoralism in Ethiopia" launched earlier this week, is a 
summary of the work of Ethiopian government officials, representatives 
from traditional institutions and scholars from around the world who met 
at the University of Sussex, Brighton, England in December to examine 
key factors affecting pastoralism in Ethiopia. The report offers fresh 
insight into how pastoralist communities are moving into the future, 
envisaging some of the choices pastoralists will make over the next 20 
years. It also examines key factors such as the role of key 
environmental resources, questions of export and national market access 
for pastoralists and the need to promote conflict resolution and other 
governance measures. For further information contact: 
info@unocha-pci.org

RELIEF FOOD UPDATE

The Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) is 
currently dispatching food allocations for the months of October, 
November and December to Somali, Oromiya, Amhara and SNNP regions. 
Approximately, 10,019 tonnes representing 82 percent of the October 
ration has been dispatched to the regions.  This allocation has been 
completed in Oromiya region. Somali and Amhara regions, however, await 
25 percent and 2 percent of October's ration respectively.  In addition, 
83 percent or 14,763 tonnes for November have been transported. 
Approximately, 86 percent of the allocation has been dispatched to 
Oromiya, while the dispatch to Amhara region has been completed. 
Moreover, approximately, 33,569 tonnes have been allocated for Somali, 
Amhara and SNNP regions for December, of which eight percent has already 
been dispatched to Somali Region. Transportation of December's food 
ration to Amhara and SNNP regions will commence shortly. Meanwhile, 
transportation of food aid allocation for internally displaced persons 
in West-Imi, Afder zone, Somali Region is forthcoming. For more 
information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

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