OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
4 February 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

SOMALI REGION UPDATE

The food security situation in Somali Region continues to be of concern as 
the dry season - jilaal - progresses. Meanwhile sectoral responses in the 
five military operation zones are ongoing. UNICEF supported mobile medical 
teams, deployed to Danot, Aware, Degehabur, Segeg, Duhun, Denan, 
Debeweyin, Shilabo and Kebridehar woredas during the first half of 
December have begun operation. The mobile teams plan to provide treatment 
for approximately 626,250 people in the region during their three-month 
stay. In addition to distributing plumpy'nut for malnourished children, 
the mobile teams will also provide water and sanitation, first aid and 
counseling services. In order to avoid overlapping and duplication of 
activities by the newly deployed teams and other on-going programs, the 
teams will focus on areas where there are no health facilities. As of 29 
January, out of the 53,000 MT emergency food allocated for three months, 
approximately 20,663 MT has been dispatched to the five priority zones 
under military operations. To date, approximately 13,649 MT of relief food 
commodities have reached the FDPs, of which 72 percent has been 
distributed to beneficiaries. Meanwhile, in Fik woreda, animal vaccination 
campaign is underway by the woreda agricultural office.

There is an overall increase in prices of commodities, particularly food. 
Among other factors the increase is attributed to poor market supply and 
little or no harvest in agro pastoral and riverine areas in the southern 
zones. The price of livestock, on the other hand, continued to decline due 
to poor livestock body condition and decrease in demand. For more 
information: ocha-eth@un.org & wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

CONCERNING FOOD SECURITY SITUATION IN BORENA ZONE

There is a concern about the food security situation in the lowland 
woredas of Borena zone with increased reports of pasture and water 
depletion. The situation is very severe in Dire, Moyale, Miyo Dillo, Dhas, 
Arero, Yabello and Teltele woredas. Locust infestation in the affected 
woredas is aggravating the situation. Poor households in these woredas 
have resorted to coping mechanisms such as reduction of daily meals. 
Pasture reserves in the zone are over grazed, resulting in poor physical 
condition of livestock. Unusual livestock migration in search of water and 
pasture is reported from Moyale and Miyo woredas. According to CARE, 
deaths of livestock including calves and milking cows are reported 
particularly in Dire woreda. A significant increase in the price of staple 
foods has largely reduced purchasing power of pastoralists. Meanwhile, the 
Oromiya Emergency Coordination Meeting has been revitalized to facilitate 
effective coordination and timely response. Immediate intervention in 
water supply, livestock feed, human health, food aid provision and market 
stabilization is required. For more information contact: 
mandert@care.org.et & ocha-eth@un.org

SUSPECTED MENINGITIS CASES IN SNNPR

Suspected cases of meningitis were reported from Kambata Tembaro and 
Hadiya zones in SNNPR last week. A total of six cases with one death were 
reported in Adorro Tuntoo, Kadida, Kaccha Birra, and Tenbarro woredas in 
Kambata Tembaro zone. In Hadiya zone, five cases and one death were 
reported from Hadiya hospital. Laboratory investigation is underway to 
confirm the reports. In late December 2007, the Federal Ministry of Health 
(FMoH) alerted humanitarian partners to be prepared for a possible large 
scale Meningitis outbreak. Following the alert, the FMoH in collaboration 
with partners developed a preparedness and response plan seeking for US$ 
28 million. The plan focuses on pre-positioning of vaccines, drugs and 
medical supplies. It also plans to enhance a disease surveillance system, 
training of health workers on case detection, appropriate case management 
and community awareness raising. For more information contact: 
who-wro@et.afro.who.int

MEASLES CASES IN GUJI ZONE OF OROMIYA

Increased cases of measles were reported in Guji zone, Oromiya Region. 
More than 650 cases were reported as of the end of last week. Surveillance 
and preventive measures are strengthened; while proper case management is 
on-going. Earlier this year, measles cases were reported from seven zones 
of West Shoa, North Shoa, Bale, Illubabur, East Wollega, and West Hararghe 
zones. The situation is reported to be under control in the six zones. For 
information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

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