OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
1 September 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

ERC's MISSION TO ETHIOPIA

In his second mission to Ethiopia since taking post in January 2007, Sir 
John Holmes will visit Stabilization Centers and Therapeutic Feeding 
Centers in Konso Special Woreda in SNNPR. The mission will also travel to 
Jijiga and Kebridehar on 2nd September to meet with the regional 
government, UN agencies and operational NGOs. The team will also visit 
CERF-funded project in Lafa'isa that is presently screening 18,000 asylum 
seekers from Somalia. According to ARRA and UNHCR the asylum seekers are 
requiring immediate humanitarian assistance. In Kebridehar, the mission 
will assess humanitarian interventions undertaken since the United Nations 
established a field presence in 2007. The team will also visit ongoing 
relief distributions and meet with local government officials and 
community representatives. For more information contact: ocha-eth@un.org.

HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS

Despite continued interventions by Government and Humanitarian Partners, 
new admissions to Therapeutic Feeding Programmes continue to be reported. 
Increase in prices and shortages of staple food are contributing to 
continued food insecurity and malnutrition. Furthermore, shortages in 
emergency resources are impeding timely response.

Resource shortfalls

The need for RUTF and other Therapeutic Feeding supplies is exacerbated by 
the overall shortage of food and targeted supplementary feeding 
programmes. This has resulted in increased admission and relapse rates in 
the programmes. In addition, intra-household sharing of the products and 
selling in markets (to buy other food for the family) have been reported, 
notes UNICEF. Therapeutic feeding programme is at risk of pipeline break 
in September. To cover the requirements for September, UNICEF requires 
1,000 MT of RUTF urgently. In addition, US$ 22 million is required to 
procure 3,000 MT of RUTF to cover needs for October to December. Moreover, 
logistical challenges are hampering transport of supplies to health posts 
in SNNPR. Critical shortage of relief, PSNP and TSF resources have also 
resulted in reduced rations for relief and PSNP beneficiaries, notes WFP. 
Presently, the total resource shortfall amounts 170,000 MT. The EFSRA 
reserve level currently stands as low as 8,500 MT after pledged loans of 
11,500 MT to WFP.

Floods

Torrential rains during 12-21 August have caused large-scale flooding in 
Gambella Region. Approximately 31,000 people are affected; more than 
22,000 displaced and three people killed in Itang, Akobo, Lare and Abobo 
woredas, reports WHO. Planted maize, sorghum and cotton crops have been 
destroyed in Itang and Lare woredas. Access challenges have impeded timely 
delivery of assistance. Nevertheless, federal and regional governments 
have reportedly provided food to the displaced communities. Emergency food 
and non-food assistance have to be facilitated. Provisions of plastic 
sheets, essential drugs and medical supplies have been identified as high 
priorities. The main health treats remain to be malaria and diarrhea 
including Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD). Preventive measures and disease 
surveillance need to be strengthened, the Regional Health Bureau reports. 
Furthermore, in Dallol woreda of Afar, overflowing river from Adigrat 
woreda in Tigray Region has flooded the woreda, destroying crops and 
houses. Incidents of localized floods in Amhara and SNNPR have also been 
reported, highlighting the need for early warning preparations including 
contingency plan.

Critical water shortages

Many woredas in Afar Region have not received rain, Afar Pastoralist 
Development Association (APDA) reports. Woredas including Elidar, Berhale, 
Erebti, Konnaba, Adgenno, Kori and Teru are experiencing severe water 
shortages. As a result, significant deaths of livestock are reported from 
the areas. Water tankering activities continue in Elidar and Kori woredas 
with UNICEF's financial support.

Health

AWD cases are spreading to new sites, WHO reports. New cases are reported 
from Dejen and Goncha woredas of East Gojam zone and Ebinet of South 
Gonder zone in Amhara. The current rainfall and flooding conditions are 
expected to contribute for further spread of AWD and malaria epidemics 
especially in Gambella Region. In response, Regional Health Bureaus and 
WHO have scaled up interventions for case investigation and identifying 
gaps and priorities. Training of Trainers for 42 Health Extension Workers 
in Somali has been conducted during 20-24 August on AWD epidemic and WASH 
response. The training was financially supported by WHO and facilitated 
jointly by the Regional Health Bureau, UNICEF and PSI. For more 
information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int, kmcdonald@unicef.org, 
info@dppc.gov.et & wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

STRENGTHENED SUPPORT TO SOMALI REGION

The number of NGOs cleared to expand operations in Somali Region has 
increased to 22 in total. The Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness 
Agency has announced on 27 August that additional nine NGOs are endorsed 
to officially expand operations in Somali Region. The NGOs are ACF, ADRA, 
FAFAN, Merlin, PCAE, LVIA, CONCERN, GOAL and MSF-Belgium. The endorsed 
NGOs will continue supporting the Regional Government in addressing the 
current humanitarian emergency. Meanwhile, the Special Committee for 
Somali Region has continued endeavors in strengthening support to the 
region. The framework of action has been dispatched to the region for 
practical implementation of action plans.

For more information contact: ocha-eth@un.org & info@dppc.gov.et


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