OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
5 November 2007


SomalI Region UPDATE

The UN security review of potential field offices in Degehabur and 
Kebridehar towns has been completed and suitable buildings have been 
identified for the establishment of the UN presence. UN Agencies are 
preparing to deploy staff as early as next week.

In addition, DPPA verbally conveyed to the Humanitarian Coordinator a 
list of NGOs that have thus far been accredited to work within areas of 
military operation in the five zones of Degehabur, Gode, Fik, Warder and 
Korahe. Meanwhile, OCHA's Pastoralist Communication Initiative 
facilitated a discussion on the humanitarian, development and 
livelihoods situation of the region on Thursday, 1 November. The forum 
brought together UN Agencies, donors and leaders of the region (the Vice 
President, Cabinet Members, Bureau Heads and community leaders) in order 
to gain a deeper understanding of the region as a whole.

Update on Flood Response

Flood waters have now receded in Gambella and Somali regions. In 
Mustahil and Kelafo woredas, Somali Region, more than 2,600 displaced 
persons have now been able to return home. Farmland and grazing areas 
were submerged by the floodwaters leading to temporary loss of 
livelihoods.

While the current water level of the Wabishebele River is low, with the 
intensification of the current deyr rains, it is likely that the water 
level could increase creating potential for further flooding. In 
response, 300 MTs of emergency relief food has been allocated for those 
affected by the floods in Mustahil, Kelafo and Ferfer. The food, awaits 
transportation in Gode. UNICEF has provided NFI emergency kits including 
water guard, soap and essential drugs to Kelafo health centre. In 
Gambella, Region, flood waters have also receded enabling people to 
return home. A recent FAO assessment mission observed substantial impact 
of flooding in 2007 compared to previous years. In response, 
MSF-Switzerland completed a distribution of NFIs to an estimated 41,000 
flood affected people along the Baro river between Gambella town and 
Lare. The NFI kits included jerry cans, mosquito nets (LLINs), blankets, 
plastic sheeting, and soap as well as water purification (water maker) 
to reduce risk of water related diseases.

AWD Update

Although, AWD cases continue to be reported from Oromiya, SNNPR, Tigray, 
Afar, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz and Somali Regions as well as Dire Dawa 
Administration, there are significant decreases in the number of 
reported cases.

Hotspot woredas, however, remain including Merti, Digalo and Tigo, 
Sewana and Shakiso, Oromiya Region; Kafta Humera, Anderta and Alamata in 
Tigray Region; Chifra and Dalol in Afar Region and Jijiga and Fik in 
Somali Region. In Afar, WHO visited a cotton farm in Bure Kebele where 
cases have been reported. Poor sanitation facilities and hygiene 
awareness as well as shortage of medical supplies in the cotton farms 
continue to aggravate the spread of the disease. In Beneshangul Gumuz, 
AWD coordination committees have been established at woreda levels. 
UNICEF is supporting community mobilization, health education and case 
management training.

InternationaL Network to Promote Household Water Treatment and Safe 
Storage Meeting

WHO in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Health, Water 
Resources and Education, UNICEF and PSI Ethiopia have organized a three 
day meeting on the International Network to Promote Household Water 
Treatment and Safe Storage, a global WHO initiative to reduce water 
borne diseases.

The Network aims to build on and scale up existing household water 
management activities and harmonizing this with national WASH 
strategies. The meeting to be held between 29 and 31 October 2007 at the 
Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa and further aims to raise awareness and 
increase commitment for scaling up household water treatment and water 
quality interventions in Ethiopia. Colleagues from Ghana, Kenya and 
UNICEF and PSI Agency headquarters in New York will share their 
experiences as well as international institutions such as the Centre for 
Disease Control and Medentek.

Critical food shortage hampering TSF implementation

The second round distribution of targeted supplementary food as part of 
the Enhanced Outreach Strategy (EOS) for Child Survival is ongoing in 
Oromiya and Afar Regions. In Oromiya, prioratisation has been given to 
East and West Hararge zones. Remaining dispatches, however, for other 
areas in Oromiya and Tigray Regions have been postponed due to immediate 
shortages of vegetable oil.

Likewise in SNNPR, dispatch has been delayed due to ongoing screening 
and shortages in the pipeline. Elsewhere, the distribution of 1,125 MTs 
of fortified Corn Soya Blend and Oil will be completed this week for 
40,362 beneficiaries in Afar Region and DPPB is finalizing the second 
round dispatch for Amhara Region. New screening will be conducted in 
most regions in November and December.

Upcoming Pastoralist Gathering

More than 250 pastoralists from more than 17 different ethnic groups 
will be gathering in Nyangatom woreda, SNNPR between 8-to-12 November to 
talk about the rise of tourism, trade and economic diversification, the 
management and eradication of conflicts as well as social change and 
basic services.

The gathering, hosted by Nyangatom Community in conjunction with 
Atoweksi Eksil Pastoralist Development Association, will also discuss 
opening of new transport, changes in land use, communication and market 
links, development of education and new opportunities for participation 
in national affairs. Inspired by visits to other pastoralist gatherings 
in Ethiopia and Kenya, members of South Omo's pastoralist groups welcome 
this unique opportunity to discuss how rapid changes are altering the 
face of South Omo zone in ways that are both appreciated and giving rise 
to concern. The event is supported financially and logistically by the 
UN OCHA Pastoralist Communication Initiative, a unique initiative that 
works exclusively on promoting knowledge and communication for 
pastoralists and pastoralism in Ethiopia and Africa.

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