OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
3 September 2007


FLOOD UPDATE

Following heavy rainfall particularly in the western part of the
country, the risk for further flooding remains high. Approximately
136,000 people in Amhara, Afar, Gambella, SNNP and Tigray are currently
affected by flooding, of which 36,000 are displaced. In Amhara Region,
the displaced population is increasing, particularly in Libo Kemkem and
Dera woredas of South Gondar zone. This has increased pressure in the
temporary shelters with high congestion creating a serious threat for
communicable diseases, including Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD). In SNNPR,
flooding has affected 38,742 people in eight woredas. While the
displaced population in the region is smaller than anticipated as a
result of better preparedness, three temporary shelters- Delegnmore,
Dibba and Selegn, have been established. Increased water levels of the
Omo River caused by heavy rainfall in the west and central highlands
could lead to more flooding in the region.

To date, DPPA has dispatched 1,194 tonnes of food for more than 65,000
flood affected people. In Amhara Region, UNICEF has pre-positioned four
boats in preparation of rescue operations and has provided 371,305 water
purification sachets and 4,575 bottles of water guard for more than
5,500 people for two months. Moreover, two EMWAT kits and 4,109 jerry
cans have been dispatched to the region by the agency. Ethiopian Red
Cross has provided food and non-food assistance to flood victims in
three woredas of Amhara, Awassa (SNNP), Gambella and Addis Ababa.
Meanwhile, in Gambella, approximately 3,000 people have been able to
return home due to receding flood waters. Contact: ocha-eth@un.org,
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org & kmcdonald@unicef.org

HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO SOMALI REGION

A United Nations humanitarian mission led by the Humanitarian
Coordinator (HC) departed to Somali Region on 30 August. The United
Nations team will focus on assessing the current humanitarian situation
and needs of the population, in particular, the level of access to food,
water, health and nutrition services, as well as the livelihood
situation of vulnerable populations in the areas of the region affected
by the current security operations. The team will also monitor the
dispatches and distributions of emergency food aid to targeted
beneficiaries. The mission includes staff from UNICEF, FAO, WFP, WHO, UN
Department of Safety and Security, Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights and OCHA. For more information contact:
ocha-eth@un.org

UPDATE ON SOMALI DISPATCHES

Approximately 54 percent of June's food allocation has been transported
to areas that are under military operation in Somali Region. Dispatches
to Fik zone are ongoing- 15 percent of the 810 tonnes of allocated food
has now left. Food distributions have also been undertaken in four food
distribution points (FDP) in Degehabur woreda; while distributions are
expected to start in the remaining 16 FDP shortly. Furthermore, food has
reportedly been distributed in all the ten FDPs of Gashamo woreda and
some distributions have taken place in Degehamedo woreda. WFP also
reports that distributions are ongoing in Gode town and are expected to
be finalized shortly. For more information contact:
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

AWD UPDATE

AWD remains of concern with cases being reported from Amhara, SNNP,
Oromiya, Tigray, Somali and Afar regions. In Amhara Region, cases were
reported during the week from 10 woredas in North Gonder and North Wollo
zones. UNICEF has provided four CTC kits and 10 essential drug kits as
well as 990,000 ETB to support the region's effort in control and
prevention of AWD. To date, approximately 2,000 cases have been reported
in Tigray Region with the majority of cases among daily labourers in
Humera woreda. As part of the emergency response, the regional
government has deployed 80 health workers to affected areas. Twenty
operational CTCs have also been established in the worst affected
woreda- Kafta Humera while one CTC has been established in Tsegedie
woreda. The Ministry of Health has sent Ringer Lactate to Humera woreda.
UNICEF also provided medical and WES supplies and WFP has dispatched
maize to affected woredas. Cases also continue to be reported in Alaba
and KembataTembaro zones in SNNPR. In Oromiya, cases are reported from
seven zones with particular concern in East Arsi zone. Meanwhile,
unconfirmed cases were reported from Shegosh woreda of Kebridahar zone
in Somali Region during the week. Contact: who-wro@et.afro.int &
kmcdonald@unicef.org

UPDATE ON TSF DISTRIBUTION

Distribution of Targeted Supplementary Food (TSF) for beneficiaries
identified by the Enhanced Outreach Strategy (EOS) is underway.
Prioritization of the most food insecure areas including East and West
Hararghe zones as well as some woredas in Arsi and Bale zones continues.
To date, 6,612 tonnes of food has been distributed in SNNPR covering 88
percent of the total beneficiaries. In Amhara Region, 68 percent of the
total allocation has been distributed. In Dire Dawa, distributions have
been completed and 50 percent have been finalized in Harari Region.
Meanwhile, 84 percent of the total allocation of 4,688 tonnes has been
distributed in Oromiya Region. For more information contact:
kmcdonald@unicef.org & wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

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