Focus on Ethiopia - Jun 2007

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE:

- REGIONAL OVERVIEW

- NEWS - FLOOD RISK ALERT

- ACUTE WATERY DIARRHOEA UPDATE

- 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

GAMBELLA

Ongoing movement of those displaced by previous conflicts continues to cause humanitarian concern in the region. Reports indicate that as many as 11,400 Jikany Nuer with large numbers of cattle have now reached Akobo woreda. They are currently sheltering in Tole, in Wading area, outside Tiergol, which is a large grazing land. In Itang woreda, displaced Anuak are now returning. The majority of returnees to Itang are male, as women and children still remain in displaced areas due to the existence of schools. A community-driven peace dialogue between the Lou and Jikany Nuer communities took place in Akobo County, South Sudan, between 21-23 June. The dialogue facilitated by PACT Sudan and UN-OCHA PCI, is intended to be ongoing, and aims to establish long-term solutions to tensions between the two Nuer factions. The communities agreed to honour their history of intermarriage and peaceful coexistence by living together in Akobo woreda until the end of the next harvest season. Once the Lou have been able to harvest their crops and gather shelter materials, they will return back to Akobo Sudan. This community position has been endorsed by the Gambella Regional Government.

Both communities are in need of food and non-food humanitarian assistance. The HRF Review Board has recommended project proposals by IOM and ZOA for approval. The projects focus on the most urgent humanitarian requirements, including distribution of seed and NFIs such as provision of plastic sheets and hand tools for shelter construction, and water and sanitation interventions. NFI distribution will take place using existing UNICEF and DPPA stocks, which will be replenished by HRF funds. The IOM project will be implemented in Lare, Jor, Wantua, and Jikaw woredas and will target 21,000 people, while ZOA will work in Akobo and Itang woredas and serve 13,700 people. Project implementation will begin immediately and continue for four months. In addition, distribution of the one-month relief food ration allocated by the Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) to flood victims and former IDP's is ongoing. WFP is currently in discussion with DPPA to advocate for the provision of a 3-month food aid package for returnees, based on regional requests. EOS screening dates are yet to be determined.

Heavy rainfall and storms were reported in Godere woreda during the month, causing substantial damage to maize, coffee, chat, mango, banana, sugarcane and avocado crops in four kebeles. The continuation of the rains is also likely to lead to flooding in Gambella's traditionally flood-prone areas. Ongoing rains could also amplify cases of malaria, AWD and other water borne diseases. Reports of an increase in malaria cases have already been received from the Regional Disaster Prevention and Food Security Bureau (DPFSB). In addition, there are unconfirmed reports of 250 AWD cases with 16 deaths from the border between Gambella and SNNPR. UNICEF is currently working with the Regional Water Bureau on a water treatment action plan to prevent further spread of the disease. No outbreaks of livestock diseases have been reported so far. However DPFSB has reported that a shortage of veterinary medicine may allow endemic diseases to develop into an epidemic.

Livestock productivity has decreased in the region primarily due to ongoing movement of returnees with their cattle and shoats in the west of the region. Pasture and water availability along transit routes is limited and there is no access to veterinary services. The price of shoats has decreased as market supply has increased. Cattle are now being sold across the border in Sudan, which increases price levels in Gambella Region. Markets also show a decrease in cereals availability and an increase in the price level.

In addition, the Gambella DPFSB has requested UN support for an institutional capacity building project to enable a more effectively coordinated humanitarian response during emergencies in the region.

OROMIYA REGION

The food security situation has continued to deteriorate with increased reports of malnutrition. AWD cases increased with three new woredas affected. WFP reports continued to cite the deterioration of food security in Bale, West Shewa, West Wellega, East and West Hararghe zones. Bale, East and West Haraghe zones are also reporting increased cases of malnutrition aggravated by delays in PSNP and EOS transfers. Coping mechanisms, such as distress migrations and increased availability of firewood at markets, were observed in most woredas.

The fifth round of EOS screening has been finalized in all zones. In addition, targeted supplementary food has been allocated for five zones including East Hararghe, West Hararghe, Arsi, Bale and North Shoa zones. Based on the DPPA-led verification assessment recommendations, DPPA has dispatched 2,024 tonnes of relief food commodities for 112,443 beneficiaries in Agarfa and Gasarena woredas of Bale zone; Chinaksen woreda of East Hararghe zone; Ginde Beret, Adda Berga and Meta Robi woredas of West Shewa; and Jarsi woreda of West Wellega zones. DPPA's allocation is for one month. Some woredas are concerned that the need for food relief exceeds the allocation. In addition, World Vision, using funding from the European Union, commenced emergency food aid distribution to 9,200 beneficiaries in Gedeb Assasa and Sude woredas of Arsi zone.

Malnutrition was observed in East and West Hararghe zones. GOAL with Oromiya DPPB and the Regional ENCU conducted a rapid nutritional survey in Dara Lebo woreda, West Hararghe zone from 25 June. The assessment was requested by the Woreda Health Bureau due to concerns from findings of the EOS screening in Mid-May and general deterioration in the food security situation. Preliminary results should be available by mid-July.

Seven out of the affected nine zones in the region continue to report AWD cases. Although the disease is contained in West Arsi and Jima Zones, three woredas are newly affected - Sire and Jaju woredas in Arsi zone and Sinana woreda in Bale zone. Most of the cases during the month were reported from Boset woreda in East Shoa, Bule hora and Abaya woredas in Borena zone and Babile, Aromaya and Fedis woredas in East Harerge. WHO has funded the relocation of health workers from SNNPR and other parts of Oromiya to help contain cases in the worst affected areas. Training on case management, surveillance and reporting for health workers is also ongoing. At zonal level, coordination committees chaired by the Zonal Health Bureaus have been established.

In Southern Oromiya, clashes between the Guji and Burji reportedly killed five people in Borena zone during the month. In Moyale, tensions in the wake of the housing and population census between Borena and Somali communities have now been averted. Elders from both communities have agreed to act as observers, allowing the census to continue.