OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
14 July 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

FOOD SECURITY UPDATE

Despite humanitarian interventions, food insecurity continues to be 
reported in Somali, SNNP and lowland areas of Oromiya and some parts of 
Amhara regions. FEWSNET reports that soaring food prices are further 
affecting the food security situation of urban and rural poor, as well as 
vulnerable pastoral and agro-pastoral populations. According to WFP, in 
June 2008, the price of local maize was 87.7 percent higher than import 
parity. In the food-insecure areas of SNNP, Somali and Amhara regions, 
maize prices have shown a 150 to 161 percent increase during January to 
June 2008.

As hagaa season (dry) progresses, the food security situation in Somali 
Region is further deteriorating with reports of serious water and pasture 
shortages particularly in the seven deyr receiving zones. According to the 
DPPB/Save the Children UK June food security update, most birkads have 
dried in Degehabur, Korahe and Warder zones, highlighting the need for 
emergency water tankering interventions. The report indicates that prices 
of basic grains and imported food items have doubled/tripled in most areas 
of the region. Between January to June 2008, the price of maize has 
increased by 148 percent in Jijga town, 80 percent in Chereti and 
Degehabur towns and 200 percent in Fik town.

A recent OCHA mission to SNNPR reports that despite humanitarian 
interventions, new hotspot woredas including Benatsemay, Burji and Basketo 
special woredas have emerged. OCHA observed that severe acute malnutrition 
cases continue to increase in Dara Godo woreda in Wolayita zone and Korga 
areas in East Badwacho woreda of Hadiya zone. In areas where nutritional 
intervention started earlier including Kedida Gamela, Alaba Special woreda 
and Boricha, severity of child malnutrition has reduced decreasing 
admission rates to stabilization centers. CONCERN reported that it is 
conducting a rapid health and nutrition assessment in Soro, Duna, Gibe and 
Angacha woredas. Shortage of essential drugs, poor staff capacity and 
inaccessibility of some Out-Patient Therapeutic Programmes are the most 
pressing challenges encountered in nutrition response. The Regional Health 
Bureau together with UNICEF provided severe acute malnutrition management 
training for 31 health professionals for five days at Yirgalem.

CARE in its latest publication reports food security problems in Fentale 
woreda, East Hararghe, Borena and some woredas of West Hararghe zones in 
Oromiya Region. The report notes that production of short maturing crops 
is not expected until October 2008. It also indicates that the locust and 
army warm outbreaks in Borena, East and West Hararghe zones have been 
controlled. Most farmers have replanted damaged crops by the infestations.

FEWSNET in its June update reported that the belg crop growing areas of 
Amhara Region are facing acute food deficit due to poor performance of 
belg rains. Gubalafto and Dawnt woredas of North Wollo zone, Legabmo and 
Sayint woredas of South Wollo zone, Menze Gera and Menze Mama woredas of 
North Shewa zone are identified as hotspot areas. For more information 
contact: ocha-eth@un.org, care.eth@ethionet.et,ethiopia@fews.net & 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The emergency response capacity for the estimated 4.6 million 
beneficiaries is threatened by extremely low emergency food reserve stocks 
and shortfalls in the food aid pipeline during the height of the hunger 
period that extends until September. WFP's funding shortfall remains high 
at 200, 543 MT valued at U$ 162.6 million. Nevertheless, the Disaster 
Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) and WFP continue distribution of 
relief food to drought affected areas of the country. To date, 
approximately 70,776 MT of emergency food has been dispatched out of the 
125,080 MT allocated. UNICEF reported that as of 10 July, 645 MT of 
Plumpy'Nut has arrived in Addis Ababa that will cover the needs of 
approximately 18,000 malnourished children. A total of 409 MT of 
Plumpy'Nut has been dispatched to the regions for further distribution to 
NGOs operating in the field. Additional 186 MT of Plumpy'Nut will arrive 
in the country until 14 July. UNICEF has requested its headquarters for 
second loan to import a second batch of 1,217 MT of Plumpy'Nut to cover 
anticipated requirements. Meanwhile, WFP reports that local supply of 
blended food (famix) has been reduced due to power shortages and high cost 
of raw materials particularly maize. For more information contact: 
kmcdonald@unicef.org & wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

HEALTH UPDATE

WHO reported that Acute Watery Diarrhoea cases have been identified in 
five woredas located in Amhara and Oromiya Regions. Conjie and Achefer in 
West Gojjam zone; Guagusa of Awi zone; and Alefa Takusa of North Gondar 
zone in Amhara Region and Akaki woreda of East Showa zone in Oromiya 
Region have been reported active cases. The newly established AWD Working 
Group has been meeting to discuss ways forward and to facilitate a 
coordinated response. Lack of water purification products at household 
level and shortage of drugs and medical supplies remain as major 
challenges.

WHO additionally reports a significant decrease in cases of meningitis and 
measles nationwide. The agency notes that sporadic cases of meningitis 
have been reported only from Wadera woreda in Oromiya Region. WHO reported 
that more than 600,000 people between 2 and 30 years of age were 
vaccinated against meningitis in high risk woredas. Additionally, 2 
million doses of meningitis vaccines have arrived in the country. A 
portion of the vaccines will be used to replenish the emergency national 
stock that was utilized to conduct a nationwide campaign one month ago. 
The balance will be used to conduct mass vaccinations in woredas that were 
not covered by the previous campaign in Afar, Amhara, Oromiya and SNNPR. 
For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

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