OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
14 January 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

SOMALI REGION UPDATE

Impacts of the poor performance of deyr rains are observed in deyr and
karen receiving zones with reports of early migration of livestock from
Warder, Degehabur, Fik, Afder, Liben and Shinele zones in search of
water and pasture. Meanwhile, sectoral responses are ongoing. Emergency
drug kits, medical supplies, nutrition products and water treatment
chemicals have been provided to ten hospitals and health centers and 36
satellite health facilities - out of planned 41 facilities ? as part of
UNICEF's restocking programme.  UNICEF has also provided 15 health post
kits to Korahe zone for assistance in opening of non-functioning health
posts.  To date, three health posts have received the kits, seven
additional kits will be distributed by MDM. In addition, four Health
Extension Workers (HEW) have been deployed. UNICEF is also preparing a
WASH contingency plan for the region to be further discussed with the
Regional Water Bureau. The regional Livestock Crop Natural Resource
Bureau (LCNRB) and FAO reported that a campaign has been launched to
contain an outbreak of Peste des petites ruminants (PPR) in Shinile
zone. To date DPPA has allocated approximately 26,580 tons of relief
food for identified beneficiaries=AD in Gode, Fik, Degehabur, Warder and
Korahe zones. Approximately 19,396 tons of food, has been dispatched to
133 Food Distribution Points (FDP) out of the total 186. According to
the WFP offices in the region, 11,052 tons of the dispatched food has
been delivered to final distribution centers, of which 8,531 tons has
been distributed to beneficiaries.  A more comprehensive picture of the
actual distribution is expected to be obtained as WFP monitoring teams
are able to access more areas. Some food is currently in storage at
woreda capitals for forthcoming food distributions. Relief food has also
been allocated for 314,100 beneficiaries in Afder, Shinile and Liben
zones. Dispatch to these zones has not yet commenced as priority is
being given to the five zones under military operations. Meanwhile,
Enhanced Outreach Strategy (EOS) screening has resumed in 13 out of the
30 project woredas in the region. The Regional DPPB in support of WFP is
ready to dispatch Targeted Supplementary Food to approximately 49,300
identified beneficiaries in 13 woredas. Screening is due to commence in
the remaining 17 woredas at the end January. For more information
contact: ocha-eth@un.org, wfp.addisababa@wfp.org, & kmcdonald@unicef.org

CONFIRMED MEASLES CASES

Out of fifty suspected measles cases, four have so far been confirmed in
Kelafo woreda, Gode zone. Most of the cases are reported among children
under five, who were not vaccinated. Limited vaccination coverage and
poor surveillance systems have reportedly contributed to the outbreak.
The emergency mobile health team have been briefed and provided with
measles outbreak investigation and management guidelines to treat and
trace additional cases. Discussions are underway with health authorities
regarding the implementation of a region wide measles vaccination
campaign for which funding will be sought from interested donors. For
more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int &kmcdonald@unicef.org

LOCUST OUTBREAK

Reports indicate that desert locust swarms are now leaving Somali Region
of Ethiopia and have begun to affect Bale, Borena and East Harerghe
zones in Oromiya Region and Konso and South Omo zones in SNNPR.  The
largest swarm observed was in Gasera woreda, Bale zone, where the swarm
size measured 20 square kms.  The current locust situation in Ethiopia
is the worst the country has experienced for over 45 years, according to
regional FAO experts. While many of the affected areas are thought to be
too dry for locust breeding and development, pasture and crops are still
vulnerable. Of particular concern, are crop producing areas of South Omo
zone where recent rains could be conducive to locust development. The
Desert Locust Control Organisation for Eastern Africa (DLCO-EA) has
aircraft on standby in Moyale for pesticide spraying in affected areas.
One aircraft has begun aerial campaigns using the Konso airstrip. The
DLCO team is joined by ground control carried out by MoARD teams in the
Konso zone. MoARD have a shortage of appropriate vehicles to carry out
locust survey and control operations. The MoARD recently received 5 ULVA
mast vehicle mounted sprayers from FAO in addition to the existing ones
in the regional states.  At woreda level, locust control knowledge is
also a major gap affecting the national locust control capacity. For
more information please contact: Alberto.Pasini@fao.org &
Jan.Breithaupt@fao.org

AWD UPDATE

The number of reported AWD cases has significantly decreased. Cases are
currently being reported from eight woredas in three regions compared to
more than 200 woredas previously reporting cases. The woredas currently
affected are Hamaya and Weliso in Oromiya Region; Chifra and Awash in
Afar Region and Jijiga, Awbere, Erer and Shinile woredas in Somali
Region. Last week Chifra woreda in Afar region was the only woreda to
report active cases. The significant reduction in the number of reported
cases is attributed to ongoing interventions by the Government and
partners, increased community AWD awareness, and the end of the rainy
season. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

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