Focus on Ethiopia - Feb 2008

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE:

-REGIONAL OVERVIEW

- NEWS: POOR RAIN FORECAST FROM MARCH TO MAY UPCOMING & ONGOING MEETINGS

Focus on Ethiopia is produced by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in collaboration with other UN agencies and partner NGOs. Focus on Ethiopia provides a monthly overview of humanitarian trends and activities in Ethiopia, as well as focusing on particular issues of interest. Send comments, suggestions and contributions to ocha-eth@un.org

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

SOMALI

The food security situation further deteriorated in February as Jilal (dry season) continues. Severe water shortages and very poor pasture will remain to be major problems until the onset of the gu rains in mid-April. A joint Somali Region Multi-Sectoral Drought Emergency Response Plan that seeks approximately ETB 35 million to address outstanding sectoral requirements for a period of six months has been released by the regional government.

The Emergency Response Plan indicated that over one million people are currently facing critical water shortage in 33 woredas and requested for seven million ETB to provide immediate water tracking interventions. The Regional Water Bureau (RWB) has allocated ETB 1.9 million for response, leaving a five million birr gap. Additionally the plan requests ETB 9.1 million to address water and sanitation needs in the region. The Federal WASH Taskforce convened two extra-ordinary meetings on 28 February and 4 March to facilitate timely response.

According to the DPPB/SC UK February Food Security Update critical water shortages are widely reported in many parts of the deyr receiving zones. The berkad dependent areas in Korahe, Warder and Degehabur zones and other chronically water insecure areas across Fik, Gode, Afder, Liben, Degehabur, Korahe and Shinile zones, which are directly dependent on the seasonal rainfall for replenishment are currently facing severe shortages of water. The report also indicates that prices of water have reached historical high levels in the worst affected woredas.

The RWB provides 32 percent of the region's water through water schemes and boreholes. Half of these water supply systems are non-functional and in need of rehabilitation further reducing the available water. The RWB together with UNICEF have identified 28 boreholes that are in need of immediate rehabilitation throughout the region. Although water trucking is the immediate requirement, UNICEF has highlighted that rehabilitation of existing water systems is equally crucial. With the current level of water sources, there will not be enough water available for trucking. Thus far, water trucking has started in parts of Filtu and Hudet woredas of Liben zone, Shilabo woreda of Korahe zone and Denan woreda in Gode. UNICEF has allocated US$ 52,000 to DPPB for water trucking in Fik, Degehabur and Warder for one month. Additionally, US$ 50,000 has been allocated to the RWB for rehabilitation of boreholes. UNICEF is currently waiting for funding from CERF, HRF and other donors to scale up interventions. Hope for the Horn reported that water sources in Boh, Geladin, Danot and Gashamo woredas are being quickly depleted due to large concentration of pastoralists from Somaliland and Somalia. Meanwhile, ACF successfully completed water trucking in Calen kebele in Shilabo woredas in Korahe zone and has secured funding to water truck to additional 11 areas with critical water shortages in Shilabo, Debeweyin and Kebridehar woredas. OWDA is also undertaking water trucking intervention in Denan.

The Emergency Response Plan seeks ETB 14.4 to address health and nutrition related emergencies in the region. Apart from reports of suspected cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea in Sagag, Degehamadow and Liben zone especially Dolo Ado areas bordering Kenya and suspected cases of measles in Gode zone, no major disease outbreak was reported in the region. Increased incidences of malaria cases are also reported in the riverine areas of Afder, Gode and Liben zones. Endemic diseases including TB, diarrheal disease and respiratory tract infections continue to be reported. The RHB supported by UNICEF and WHO have completed a massive measles campaign in all the 52 woredas of the region targeting 783,000 under five children. Preliminary results indicated 91 percent coverage. Meanwhile, the RHB is planning a post campaign survey.

Intensified internal and cross border livestock migrations from Somaliland and Central Somalia are exerting additional pressure on resources and increasing risks of disease outbreaks. Increased deaths of cattle and shoats were reported in Donot, Warder, Geladi and Boh woredas in Warder zone; Gode, Denan and Ferfer woredas in Gode zone and Debewoyin and Shilabo woredas in Korahe zone. Recent reports have also indicated that over 200 shoats, mainly goats, have died in Gashamo woreda of Degehabur zone in the last one and half month reportedly due to disease infection by animals from other areas including from Somaliland. Disease induced livestock deaths have also been reported from Aware woreda of Degehabur zone. In Aysha'a woreda of Shinile zone, goats and cattle have died of a local disease - soon-son. IRC has undertaken interventions and the situation is controlled. A recent rapid assessment in North East of Kebridehar indicates a suspected anthrax case in Marsin. CCPP and pastoralissis were found in most places. No drugs or veterinary services were available.

Poor physical condition of livestock was reported in Hamero woreda in Fik zone and Meisso and Afdem woredas in Shinile zone. A recent rapid assessment in North East of Kebridehar indicates stretched copping mechanisms including slaughtering of calves in Gabogabo, Nostarek, Mersin and Iskudonle areas. There are serious concerns that the situation could deteriorate in the coming few weeks with the progressing dry season. The DPPB/SC UK February update also indicated that livestock production is rapidly deteriorating, affecting protein access at household levels. The Emergency Response Plan seeks ETB 2.8 million for livestock and agricultural related interventions. Pre-positioning of drugs, establishment of livestock feeding centres, water trucking for livestock and de-stocking were among identified priorities in the sector.

Unfavourable terms of trade for pastoralists continued to be reported in February. The DPPB/SC UK monthly update also indicated that the terms of trade between staple food items and livestock prices compared to the same period last year have declined in all markets due to an increase in staple prices and lack of demand and/or decreased in livestock prices. In Kebridehar market, the price of a camel has significantly reduced from 1,500 ETB in January to 1,300 ETB in February. A similar trend is also reported for shoats and cattle prices.

Meanwhile the security situation in Kebridehar, Jijiga andDegehabur towns was calm in February. Movements are however, restricted in some areas. Mobile teams continue to face difficulties in visiting their operational areas on a regular basis, particularly in Korahe, Degehabur and Fik zones. Some access challenges were reported in some of the military operation zones delaying humanitarian interventions. Meanwhile, as of 10 March DPPA has dispatched 24,045 MT of food aid to the five priority zones under military operations, of which more than 16,837 MT has reached the destination. No food has been delivered to Degehabur zone since December 2007 resulting in further deterioration of food security situations in the areas. Logistic challenges related to shortage of trucks and delay in secondary food transportation to Food Distribution Points persists.