OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
22 September 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

OVERALL HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS

Improved rainfall conditions have resulted in better water and pasture 
availability in some areas of the country. Prospects of better crop 
harvest have also increased, depending on continuation of rainfall until 
end of September. Nevertheless, some areas particularly in the Somali 
Region continue to report extreme shortages of water and food resulting in 
increased food insecurity. Prices of food commodities in most local 
markets remain high and supplies to local markets are limited.

Some improvements in nutritional situation have been reported in parts of 
southern Oromiya and SNNPR due to a combination of food aid interventions 
and start of green harvest of maize, potato and haricot beans, notes WFP. 
Livestock conditions have also reportedly improved in most areas except 
South Omo and Gamo Gofa zones and parts of Konso, Amaro and Burji special 
woredas in SNNPR. Food security conditions, however, remain critical in 
some areas. Gode, Afder, Korahe, Warder and Liben zones in Somali Region 
continue to report critical water and food shortages, WFP reports. 
Increased levels of migration, diminished daily food intake, poor 
livestock conditions and subsequent mortalities are also reported. Reports 
indicate that the Somali Region Disaster Prevention and Preparedness 
Bureau has dispatched 20 water trucks supported by UNICEF to 11 most 
drought affected woredas. Meanwhile, WFP reports that the planned hubs and 
spokes logistical systems have gained Government approval. The system is 
expected to enhance food dispatches and delivery of supplies to drought 
affected people in the region.

Heavy rains/Hailstorms

Hailstorms and heavy rains continue to damage crops. Excessive rains in 
Gomo Gofa and Welayita zones of SNNPR have destroyed crops, according to 
WFP. CARE reports that intense hailstorms damaged planted crops in pocket 
areas of South Gonder in Amhara and Bedeno and Haromaya woredas in East 
Hararghe, Oromiya. In Haromaya woreda, maize crops have been significantly 
damaged. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int, 
info@dppc.gov.et, care.eth@ethionet.et, kmcdonald@unicef.org & 
wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

HEALTH UPDATE

During the week five woredas have been newly affected by Acute Watery 
Diarrhoea: Yilma Densa and Shekora woredas in Amhara Region and Tselemty, 
Shere town and Tahitay Machew woredas in Tigray Region. Current hotspot 
woredas include Amibara in Afar; Menjar, Shekora and Yilma Densa woredas 
in Amhara; Ada'a and Gimbichu in Oromiya, WHO reports. A recent joint 
assessment by WHO, UNICEF and the Amhara Regional Health Bureau indicates 
that poor supply of clean water, poor sanitation and hygiene practices and 
weak health promotion activities contribute to continuity of AWD.

In response, WHO has provided materials and medical supplies to Amhara 
Region. In addition, WHO continues to provide technical support, treatment 
protocols and guidelines to strengthen Case Treatment Centers (CTCs). 
UNICEF reports that 33 CTC kits including beds and medical supplies have 
been delivered to Oromiya and Amhara regions. Further, UNICEF has provided 
medical supplies and materials valued at US$ 369,483. Technical assistance 
has also been provided to establish CTCs and build capacity of health 
personnel. In Amhara, 40 health personnel have been trained on AWD case 
management. In Somali region, a training of trainers has been conducted to 
40 sanitarians with UNICEF support in planning and coordination. Moreover, 
training for the UNICEF supported five additional mobile health and 
nutrition teams in Jijiga has commenced. Staff from Mercy Corps, Save the 
Children-UK and OWDA are also participating in the training. Training on 
water, sanitation and hygiene for AWD preparedness continues in Gambella 
Region; WHO and UNICEF jointly support the program. For more information 
contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int & kmcdonald@unicef.org

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE FUND UPDATE

To enhance responses to the current humanitarian crisis, the Humanitarian 
Response Fund (HRF) continues to fund interventions. Currently, the HRF 
has recommended approval of applications from Catholic Relief Services 
(CRS) for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in Oromiya 
and Somali Regions. Additional proposals for Somali Region response (also 
recommended for approval) include WASH (Islamic Relief) and health and 
nutrition interventions (Save the Children US). Non-Food Interventions 
(NFIs) are among priority responses required for the current flooding in 
Gambella Region. IOM proposal for NFI intervention in the region is among 
those recommended for approval. For more information contact: 
ocha-eth@un.org

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -