OCHA Situation Report
Ethiopia
12 May 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

FOOD SECURITY UPDATE

The impact of the rains to date has been limited in Somali, SNNP, Oromiya, 
Amhara and Tigray regions. In the belg producing areas, approximately 80 
percent of the farmers are switching to plantation of early maturing crops 
as most have lost the chance to plant long cycle crops due to the delay 
and poor performance of the belg rains. The soaring price of fertilizer 
from 400 birr to 800 in SNNPR is anticipated to further affect production. 
Food prices have continued to increase with reports of alarming hike of 
the price of the cheapest grain, maize, in some markets of Somali Region 
to have reached 700 birr per quintal from about 350 birr per quintal.

In SNNPR the emergency beneficiary figure has been revised from 500,000 
people to more than one million. DPPA has allocated one month emergency 
food for 1.06 million beneficiaries. The food security situation is 
further worsened as the only root crop available for consumption (enset) 
has been affected by disease. Case Treatment Centers are overwhelmed and 
do not have adequate resources to cope with the increased admission rates. 
Sweet potato cuttings have been identified as the most pressing 
requirement in the region.

Severe water and pasture shortages persist in Warder and Korahe zones of 
Somali Region. A recent FAO assessment reported increased livestock 
mortality among shoats, camels and cattle in these zones. High 
concentration of livestock is also reported in areas where rain has been 
received, contributing to over-grazing of the limited browse and pasture. 
The Regional Health Bureau (RHB), DPPB, UNICEF and WFP conducted joint 
nutrition surveys in Warder woreda in Warder zone and Dihun and Garbo 
woredas in Fik zone.

An alarming food security situation with severe malnutrition has been 
reported in Siraro woreda of West Arsi zone, Oromiya Region. Out-patient 
Therapeutic Programme (OTP) and Therapeutic Feeding Centers (TFC) have 
provided treatment for 1,800 severely malnourished children. DPPA has 
deployed a rapid verification assessment mission to the woreda on 7th May. 
Malnutrition prevalence is becoming high in Bedeno, Midhega Tola, Kurfa 
Chelle, Fedis, and Babile woredas of East Hararghe zone. For more 
information contact: ocha-eth@un.org & wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

ACUTE WATERY DIARRHEA UPDATE

An Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) outbreak has re-emerged in Oromiya and 
Amhara regions. The Oromiya Regional Health Bureau (RHB) has reported AWD 
cases in Munesa woreda of Arsi zone; Arsi Negele woreda of West Arsi zone 
and Nonno woreda of West Showa zone. The first case was reported on 14 
April 2008. A joint RHB and WHO verification team has been deployed to the 
affected areas. Suspected AWD cases are also reported from Dera woreda in 
South Gondar zone; Denbecha woreda of West Gojam zone and Ankesha woreda 
of Awi zone in Amhara Region. Improved preparedness, increased awareness 
among communities and trained personnel have significantly contributed to 
a better response this year. Coordination forums in the affected areas 
have been reactivated at zonal and woreda levels. In addition, proper case 
management, surveillance and community education are underway. The Oromiya 
RHB is distributing water purification chemicals to the affected 
community. Operation costs have been identified as an outstanding gap in 
the region. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

HEALTH HAZARDS: MALARIA, MENINGITIS AND MEASLES

Increased malaria cases have been reported in Boricha woreda of Sidama 
zone and Damot Gale and Bolosore woredas in Welayita zone of SNNPR. Out of 
250 suspected cases, 187 have been confirmed with laboratory 
investigations. Shortage of drugs and health staff has reportedly 
contributed to the elevated number of cases.

Meningitis cases also continue to be reported. Last week seven new cases 
were reported from Liben and Bore woredas in Oromiya Region. As of the 
last week of April, a total of 421 cases and 16 deaths with Case Fatality 
Rate of 3.8 percent have been reported from 41 woredas in five regions. 
Bore woreda in Guji zone (Oromiya) and Aleta Wendo and Dara woredas in 
Sidama zone (SNNPR) have reached the alert threshold level; while sporadic 
cases are reported from the remaining woredas. Prevention vaccination 
campaigns are ongoing. To date, a total of 411,918 people have been 
vaccinated. The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) plans to utilize the 
entire 689,500 doses of vaccines available in the country that expires on 
31 May. CIDA has granted US$ 4 million and DFID provided approximately US$ 
2 million to WHO against the meningococcal Meningitis Appeal issued by the 
FMoH. The fund will be used for the procurement of vaccines, drugs and 
medical and laboratory supplies as well as to cover operational cost for 
mass vaccination.

Meanwhile, reports of measles cases have declined nationwide. No case was 
reported during the week. Surveillance has been strengthened in high risk 
areas. Preparation for vaccination campaign in SNNP and Oromiya regions 
are underway. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

UNHCR CLOSES TWO REFUGEE CAMPS

UNHCR closed two out of four refugee camps in western Ethiopia hosting 
refugees from southern Sudan, following a repatriation of approximately 
23,000 refugees. The closure of Bonga and Dimma camps brings the total 
number of camps emptied in western part of the country to three since last 
year. Approximately 28,000 Sudanese refugees have returned to their homes 
since the repartition exercise began two years ago. UNHCR is temporarily 
suspending the repatriation activity during the rainy season when roads 
become impassable. Contact: Gegeziabk@unhcr.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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -