Ethiopia: Flash Update #2 - Update on Landslide in Gofa Zone, South Ethiopia Region (As of 24 July 2024)

This update is prepared by UNOCHA with the support and collaboration of IASC cluster coordinators and partners. Further updates will be provided, as needed. Boundaries, names and designations of districts/zones indicated in the narration in the report do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Please contact ocha-ethcommunication@un.org for any comment or question you may have on this publication.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The death toll has risen to 257 as of 24 July, up from 157 people reported the previous day, according to local authorities. The death toll is expected to rise to up to 500 people.

• More than 15,000 affected people need to be evacuated. Government is finalizing an evacuation plan

• An inter-agency humanitarian assessment team reached the area and is currently supporting response coordination through the established Emergency Coordination Center.

• The Ethiopian Red Cross has arrived in the area today, 23 July, with four trucks of life-saving supplies.

• The Regional Health Bureau has deployed two cars and medical supplies to the scene and is preparing to send a health team.

• Agencies are allocating financial and in-kind resources for the emergency response. Dispatch of supplies is ongoing across sectors.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The death toll from the three successive landslide incidents following heavy rains on 21 and 22 July in Gezei Gofa Woreda of Gofa Zone, South Ethiopia Region has risen to 257 as of 24 July up from the 157 reported the previous day, according to local authorities. At least 125 people are displaced and currently sheltering with the host communities, while 12 people who sustained injuries were taken to Sawla Hospital for treatment. Search and rescue operations are ongoing under the leadership of local authorities with the support from the Ethiopian Red Cross Society and community members – mainly digging through mounds of mud with their bare hands and spades for lack of other options. The death toll is expected to rise to up to 500 people as per information received from local authorities.

Similarly, the number of people affected rose to 15,515 as of 24 July up from 14,000 reported on 23 July, according to authorities. These people are at high risk of further landslides and need to be evacuated to safe zones immediately. Amongst these are at least 1,320 children under 5 years of age and 5,293 pregnant and lactating women. The Federal Government, in collaboration with regional and zonal authorities is finalizing an evacuation plan.