OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
17 December 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

SOMALI REGION UPDATE

The food security situation in Somali Region could deteriorate with 
reports that the deyr rains (main rainy season) have failed in large 
areas of the seven receiving zones of Degehabur, Korahe, Warder, Gode, 
Afder, Liben and Fik. Water and pasture shortages have resulted in 
livestock migration to areas that received better rainfall such as Gode 
and Ferfer woredas. Such high concentration of livestock in these areas 
is leading to overgrazing and depletion of rejuvenated pasture. 
Livestock prices have generally declined compared to the same time last 
year. While the DPPA-led inter-agency rapid nutrition assessment in Fik 
and Korahe zones is ongoing, the multi-agency seasonal assessment 
mission was completed in all zones of the region. Initial forecasts 
expect no significant crop production from riverine and rain fed areas. 
Reports further indicate that food prices particularly for imported food 
increased during the month of November. Meanwhile, over 14,340 MT of 
relief food has now been dispatched to the five military operational 
zones. WFP is currently working with local and federal authorities to 
expedite further food dispatches which have been delayed due to 
transport difficulties. Five Regional Health Bureau / UNICEF supported 
mobile health and nutrition teams started training in Jijiga on 15 
December. The deployment plan remains to be finalized but will likely 
include Korahe and Degehabur, and will complement ongoing activities of 
the five teams already trained and deployed in Kelafo, Mustahil, Gode 
and West Imi, and will operate in close coordination and support of 
other actors active in the area. For more information contact: 
ocha-eth@un.org, wfp.addisababa@wfp.org & kmcdonald@unicef.org

IMPENDING FOOD SHORTFALL FOR REFUGEES IN ETHIOPIA

WFP immediately requires US$ 3.3 million worth of food commodities to 
meet impending shortfalls in its food assistance programme to refugees 
in Ethiopia from March to June 2008. The 5,600 MT shortfall of cereals 
(85 percent) and pulses is anticipated from March and April 2008 
respectively. The shortfall could, however, occur even sooner given 
increased caseloads of refugees into Ethiopia from Eritrea and Somalia. 
On average, it can take up to six months between announcement of 
confirmed new contributions and in-country arrival of food commodities. 
This delay could shortly result in the reduction of food rations for 
current refugees unless new contributions are immediately received. 
WFP currently provides monthly food rations to 84,000 refugees in 
Ethiopia of which there are 40,000 Sudanese, 24,000 Somalis and 20,000 
Eritreans. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

AWD UPDATE

Although the completeness of the report is poor - 30 percent, reports 
from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) indicate decreases in reports 
of new AWD cases in most affected woredas compared to the same period 
last year. Less than 20 woredas are currently reporting cases from three 
regions: Amhara, Oromiya and Somali. SNNPR, Tigray and Afar regions have 
reported zero cases for the last two weeks. Since 1 December, a new 
suspected AWD outbreak, however, was reported by WHO in Degehamedo 
woreda, Degehabur zone, Somali Region. Case investigation to confirm the 
status of cases in Degehamedo is underway. Meanwhile, the FMoH has 
decided to revitalize the Emergency Health and Nutrition Taskforce with 
a core group and technical working group to be established. There is 
still a need to intensify prevention and control measures to avert 
re-emergence of the disease. Risk factors contributing to the 
transmission including, inadequate safe water supply, poor personal and 
environmental hygiene and limited accessibility to health facilities are 
not well addressed. For more information contact: 
who-wro@et.afro.who.int

DESERT LOCUST INFESTATIONS IN BORENA AND GODE

FAO reports that the desert locust situation remains serious in 
northeast Kenya and southeast Ethiopia. There have been new reports of 
infestations in Borena zone, Oromiya Region and Gode zone, Somali 
Region. Neighbouring Afder and Liben zone are also at risk. In Borena, 
large numbers of adult locusts were reported in the woredas of Moyale, 
Dire, Arero and Yabelo. Teltelle woreda has been newly affected during 
the week. There is limited capacity to respond at zonal level despite 
the efforts of the zonal rural and agricultural coordination office's 
newly established emergency team. Given the migratory nature of this 
locust and its rapid spread, an airplane is urgently needed for control 
measures particularly in Teltelle. Oromiya Regional Bureau of 
Agriculture has promised to send an airplane as soon as possible. In 
Gode, Adadle, Denan, Kelafo and Gode woredas are affected by the locust. 
WFP has indicated that the locust is likely to have a negative impact on 
food security and is damaging the limited available browse and pasture. 
Additional pesticides and sprayers are urgently needed. The Gode 
Emergency Agriculture Taskforce is coordinating response.  For more 
information contact: mandert@care.org.et, amare.mengiste@fao.org, 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org & ocha-eth@un.org

LIVESTOCK DISEASE OUTBREAKS IN AFAR REGION

The Afar Region Monthly Food Security Update reports that livestock and 
camel diseases are affecting Ewa and Mille woredas. In Ewa woreda, a 
disease locally known as 'Garmolli' with severe diarrhoea and body 
weakness symptoms has affected camels and livestock in Ragden and Duba 
kebeles. Sheep pox, pestes des petits ruminants (PPR) and pneumonia is 
affecting shoats in Gegana Burtele, Bekaredaar na abeledaar, 
Hentimegentana hedisa, Harsisna bedaaru kebeles, Mille woreda. 
Insufficient funding for livestock veterinary services in affected 
pastoral kebeles is hindering appropriate response. Only 30 percent of 
Mille woreda, for example, is currently covered by veterinary services. 
Assistance is urgently needed to prevent the spread of these diseases to 
other areas. For more information please contact: afardpfsb@yahoo.com

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -