Relief Bulletin: Weekly Humanitarian Highlights in Ethiopia 01 Oct 2007

RESPONSE TO SOMALI REGION
Based on the recommendations of the recent UN inter-agency assessment mission, an inter-agency response plan is currently under development. The response plan will address needs in all sectors including food aid, health and nutrition, agriculture and livestock, water and sanitation, protection and human rights issues. The Government has in principle approved the allocation of food for some 600,000 beneficiaries in the five zones under military operation - Fik, Degehabur, Korahe, Gode and Warder. As part of UNICEF’s health and nutrition response, several trucks with health supplies left for Jijiga and Gode last week, to replenish essential drugs and nutritional supplies in health facilities. WHO has also deployed a consultant in Jijiga, a surveillance officer, and an Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) focal point. For more information contact: ocha-eth@un.org and wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

AFAR FLOOD ASSESSMENT REPORT
A team comprised of the Afar Regional DPPB, the Regional Water Bureau, UNICEF, CARE and OXFAM Great Britain visited the flood affected woredas of Gewane and Bure Mudaytu. The findings of the team indicate that out of a total of 14 kebeles that were inundated, Meteka, Adbaru and Brieforu kebeles in Gewane woreda, and Debel, Gefremu and Beidaforu in Bure Mudaytu woreda were the most severely affected. These communities have no safe water supply. In addition, public facilities, including schools and the health clinic in Debel have been submerged by the flood waters. Although, no major epidemics have been reported thus far, there is an increased risk of malaria and other waterborne diseases including AWD. Among the outstanding needs identified are: boats for the relocation of people in Beida and Adbaru kebeles; medical supplies and drugs including ITNs and Coartem; the continuation of food aid for the coming three months; health education; strengthening the woreda AWD and flood control committee and the provision of potable water to the affected community. For more information contact: ManderT@care.org.et

REPORTS OF LANDSLIDES
There are reports of landslides from Tigray, Amhara and SNNP regions. The affected woredas include: Atsbi Wenberta (Eastern Tigray); Meta Robi (West Shewa); Kindo Dadiye (Wolayita); and Bonke (Gamo Gofa). The landslides in these areas resulted in displacements and have caused damages to crops, grazing areas, residential houses and soil conservation structures. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

ACUTE WATERY DIARRHEA UPDATE
Four new woredas were affected by AWD during the week namely Awbere and Erer woredas in Somali Region and Alamata and Tahtay Koraro woredas in Tigray Region. AWD cases continued to be reported in the six affected regions: Amhara, SNNP, Oromiya, Tigray, Afar and Somali. The hot spot areas are Lode Hitosa and Digsis woredas in Arsi zone, Oromiya Region, Dara and Chuko woredas in Sidama zone, Alaba Special Woreda in Alaba zone, SNNPR, Asgede Tsimbala woreda in Western Tigray zone, Naeder Adet in Central Tigray zone, Tigray Region and Jijiga and Erer woredas in Somali Region. Provision of safe drinking water and promotion of environmental and personal hygiene with strong coordination and collaboration of stakeholders are among the key interventions needed to tackle the disease. Shortage of staff and medical supplies in the health facilities are among the major challenges. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.int

FINDINGS OF VERIFICATION ASSESSMENT IN SNNPR
The findings of the recent joint Government-humanitarian partners’ verification assessment in nine woredas of SNNPR indicate that approximately 81,000 people have been affected by both natural and manmade disasters. Flooding affected 40,536 people in five woredas - Humbo, Mirab Abaya, Dasenech, Hammer and Loka Abaya. In Kindo Dadiye and Bonke woredas, an estimated 12,720 people were affected by landslides. The most severe impacts of which were particularly felt in Kindo Dadiye woreda where 12 people were killed and 218 households were displaced. Tensions in Burji and Amaro woredas, following intense conflict between the Gujis and Amaros and Burjis in October 2006 continues to prevent agricultural activities in certain areas due to security concerns. The assessment team has recommended that assistance should be extended for the last four months of the year to 21,576 emergency beneficiaries that were identified in the visited woredas. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org