OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
10 December 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

SOMALI REGION UPDATE

It is anticipated that the overall poor performance of the deyr (October 
- December) rains in Degehabur, Fik and Warder Zones, combined with the 
previous below normal gu rains, may further deteriorate the food 
security situation. The performance of the rains in Jijiga and Shinile 
zones, however, has been favorable with anticipated near normal crop 
production apart from Aisha and pocket areas of Dembel and Afdem woredas 
in Shinile zone. In the first dekad of November, favorable but delayed 
rains were received in most parts of the southern zones of Gode, Korahe, 
Afder, and Liben, which has improved water availability for both human 
and livestock consumption. Nevertheless, the remaining zones, including 
Gorobokoksa, West Imy, Bare, and Dolobay woredas in Afder zone; Filtu 
and western Dolo Ado woredas in Liben zone; Shilabo and Shekosh woredas 
in Korahe zone; Geladi and Boh woredas in Warder zone and Aisha woreda 
in Shinile zone received below normal rains. Although, livestock 
condition has started to improve in those woredas with favorable rains, 
water shortage is reported from Geladi and Boh woredas of Warder and 
Aisha woreda of Shinile zones. The poor deyr rains in the region have 
also triggered early migrations of herds in some of the zones.

Meanwhile, relief operations as well as the humanitarian coordination 
forums are ongoing. To date, 11,370 tonnes of emergency food has been 
dispatched to the five zones under military operation, while an 
additional 12,400 tonnes of food remains to be transported. To 
facilitate food aid distribution, DPPA and WFP are planning secondary 
transport arrangements from woreda capitals to outlying Food 
Distribution Points (FDPs) - presently 186 FDPs are being used for food 
distributions.  Efforts are underway to establish food distribution 
committees in the five zones. WFP undertook food aid monitoring visits 
to Degehabur and Korahe zones. In Warder and Fik zones, however, 
monitoring has not been conducted thus far. Meanwhile, WHO allocated 
approximately US$12,800 to the Regional Health Bureau (RHB) to support 
staff training, CTC management and community education. It has also 
procured drugs and medical supplies amounting to US $ 20,200. For more 
information contact: ocha-eth@un.org, wfp.addisababa@wfp.org & 
who-wro@et.afro.who.int

TSF SHORTAGE

The Targeted Supplementary Food (TSF) programme in support of the 
Enhanced Outreach Strategy (EOS) for Child Survival Initiative continues 
to face shortages of 6,500 tonnes of blended food and 1,437 tonnes of 
vegetable oil for January 2008 to provide supplementary food to 
approximately 629,110 beneficiaries identified as malnourished. No 
additional contributions have been confirmed to date to address this 
shortage. WFP is appealing for emergency funds to fill the gap and has 
submitted a joint letter of appeal with UNICEF to the donor community. 
Meanwhile, EOS screening is being carried out throughout the country, 
identifying additional cases of malnourished children, pregnant and 
nursing women. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

FOOD SECURITY SITUATION: AMHARA AND AFAR REGIONS

The meher crop production seasonal assessment that provides the bases 
for determining emergency requirements for 2008 is expected to be 
completed this week. Preliminary findings from Amhara Region indicate 
that crop production prospects from the current main cropping season are 
promising and likely to be better than the past four years. Adequate 
availability of water and pasture has resulted in good livestock 
conditions. Emergency assistance is, however, required in pocket areas 
affected by excessive rainfall, floods, pests, landslides and moisture 
stress. Moreover, crops in the highlands of north and South Wello, North 
and South Gondar and North Shewa are currently facing a high risk of 
damages by frosts. The incidence and impact of malaria this year has 
been significantly lower, largely due to distributions of large numbers 
of mosquito nets, chemical sprays and the continued education on 
sanitation and hygiene. In Afar Region, the overall food security 
situation is stable due to the combined impact of the Productive Safety 
Net Programme (PSNP) interventions and improved market access to 
livestock products. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

AWD UPDATE

A nationwide decrease in reports of new AWD cases in most of the 
affected woredas continued during the week.  During the last two weeks 
less than 20 woredas reported active cases compared to 120 woredas six 
weeks ago. Currently, AWD cases are mainly reported from three regions: 
Oromiya, Amhara and Somali. The major hot spot woredas are Gololcha, 
Hamaya, Goro, Waliso and W. Badwasho in Oromiya Region; Denbacha and 
Burie in Amhara Region and Jijiga in Somali Region. Continued AWD 
epidemic interventions as well as awareness raising need to be enhanced 
in order to ensure the continued decrease of reported cases untill the 
epidemic in fully contained.  UNICEF recently conducted AWD Training of 
Trainers (TOTs) in Beles town of Metekele zone, Benishangul Gumuz region 
following reports of unconfirmed AWD cases. Approximately 43 
participants from health offices, teaching institutions and experts from 
water offices attended the training. Furthermore, PSI has conducted 
training on the use of water guard for the community focal persons in 
Benishangul Gumuz. Meanwhile, WHO continued to provide technical 
assistance to the MoH in health emergency response, including AWD. WHO 
has recruited one more consultant assigned in Gode Zone, Somali Region 
making a total of 8 National Consultants nationwide assisting RHBs in 
responding to the AWD epidemic. Additionally, three Surveillance 
assistants assigned in Gode, Kebridehar and Degehabur zones are 
supporting the surveillance system and health data gathering. For more 
information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

LOCUST INFESTATION AFFECTS FIVE REGIONS

New locust infestation was reported in Yabello, Moyale and Arero woredas 
of Borena zone, Oromiya Region during the week. An emergency team 
composed of Government and NGOs on the ground has been established to 
monitor movement of the locust and to coordinate efforts for 
eradication. Locust infestation has so far been reported in Amhara, 
Afar, Somali and Tigray regions, damaging different types of crops. 
For more information contact: mandert@care.org.et

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