Ethiopia: OCHA reports on situations of IDPs in Somali region

UN OCHA-Ethiopia undertook a field mission to the Somali region to assess the situation of IDPs in Fafan, Hartishiek, Mieso and Bordode IDP shelters. The IDPs in Fafen and Hartishiek are mainly drought induced while the caseload of some 14,900 persons in Mieso/Bordode areas are displaced mainly because of conflict over land ownership between Oromo and Somali tribesmen in the Rift valley. Major conclusions and observations of the mission are: 1) IDPs in the region are in need of humanitarian assistance such as food, water, health, shelter materials and clothing. 2) Improved planning and delivery of humanitarian assistance is essential. 3) The IDPs in the areas visited have expressed their interest to return to their villages of origin. Funding of the UNDP/IOM project to return 6,000 of the IDPs needs to occur soon if a durable solution for the long standing problem of IDPs in the region is to be found.