Focus on Ethiopia - Sep 2007

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE:

- REGIONAL OVERVIEW

- FIELD TESTING OF INTER-SECTORAL RAPID ASSESSMENT TOOLS

- 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 situation in Somali Region has shown some improvement towards the end of the month, with the opening of trade routes.

The United Nations completed an assessment of the humanitarian situation in three of the five military zones - Degehabur, Korahe and Gode, between 30 August and 5 September and submitted a report with recommendations to the Government on 9 September. The report was published on 19 September with a press statement by the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator urging the Government to support the implementation of the recommendations of the report. A separate report on findings of recommendations of the mission related to human rights and protections of civilians was shared confidentially with the Government on 24 September. The Government has indicated its endorsement of the humanitarian recommendations including increasing commercial food deliveries; short term food assistance; health and nutrition interventions; livestock trade support; water supply; and undertaking an independent investigation of reported human rights violations in the region.

Reports from regional government officials indicate that commercial trade has been reinstated during the last week of September, following the opening of four major trade routes including Dolo, Elbarde, Warder and Hartishek/Togwajale. This has paved the way for the opening of informal smaller routes and has slightly increased the presence of commercial food. Prices of food commodities, however, remain elevated. Emergency food distributions have not stabilized prices of staple foods, including sorghum, in Kebridehar, Fik, Gode, and Degehabur markets. Apart from a slight decrease in the price of sugar, prices of imported items including rice are increasing. In addition, decline in the price of cattle and camels in many markets are worsened by the current deterioration of livestock body condition. The United Nations has been consulting with Government and partners on a range of humanitarian interventions which need to begin urgently. The Government has shown support in beginning the implementation of activities in health, nutrition and emergency food assistance. Resupply of ten health centres in the region by the Regional Health Bureau, supported by UNICEF has begun. The dispatch of 9,632 tonnes of emergency food allocated for 530,000 beneficiaries by DPPA and WFP is ongoing from the previous allocation made in July. To date, dispatches have been finalized in Afder, Liben and Shinile zones and 81 percent of the 5,396 tonnes allocated for Fik, Degehabur, Warder, Korahe and Gode zones has been dispatched. The remaining food will continue to be transported to the region. Fifty eight trucks have been loaded with food aid at Dire Dawa, out of which 40 have departed to their respective destinations.

The food security situation, however, remains of great concern with presence of stress indicators including malnutrition, reduction of meals and consumption of wild foods particularly in Gode, Degehabur, Fik, Warder and Korahe zones. Coping strategies, including migration and over slaughtering of livestock, particularly in the five zones of military operations, have been observed. The situation was aggravated up to the end of September by continued restrictions on movements and market access, which limited access to food. September was also the peak for the dry-haga season, with poor access to water and pasture leading to reduced livestock production.

Flooding along the Wabishebelle basin devastated villages in Mustahil, Kelafo and Ferfer woredas, following heavy rains in the highlands of Oromiya Region during the month. A joint government and humanitarian partners' mission conducted a rapid assessment in the flood affected woredas of Mustahil, Kelafo and Ferfer from 24- 30 September. The mission reported that approximately 48,300 people are affected, of whom 8,880 are displaced. The floods have also damaged an estimated 5,630 hectares of farmland (4,750 hectares in Mustahail and 880 hectares in Kelafo) in the three woredas. Access has also been restricted to some villages and this could be further aggravated by the forthcoming deyr season (rainy season). In addition, WHO reported that incidences of water borne diseases particularly Biliharzia have increased.

Apart from the karma rains receiving zones - Shinile and Jijiga, the remaining seven zones experienced the peak of the dry haga season in September. This has reduced pasture and water availability. The usual coping mechanism - migration - has been affected by the security situation, which has restricted movement of livestock and herders. Consequently, resources are depleted and the physical condition of livestock has deteriorated mainly in parts of Korahe, Warder, Gode, Degehabur, and Fik zones. Some parts of these zones have started receiving the deyr rains at the end of the month. \the performance of these rains is crucial for farming short cycled crops, replenishing water sources and regeneration of pasture and browse.

In its September Food Security Update the regional DPPB reported a serious water shortage in the chronically water insecure and birkad dependent areas of Fik, Warder, Degehabur, Liben, Korahe and Afder. The situation was further worsened by new borehole breakdowns in Warder and Korahe and declining water levels in Korahe, Afder, and Fik with the intensifying haga.

The human health situation was worrying in the region particularly with increased AWD and malnutrition reports. Increased incidences of AWD were reported in Fik, Jijiga and Shinile zones. In addition, malnutrition is reported in Fik town and there are indications of marasmus among children in rural parts of Korahe, Warder, and Degehabur. Save the Children UK is conducting a rapid nutritional assessment in Fik zone. Meanwhile, UNICEF in collaboration with the RHB is currently supplying essential drugs, medical supplies, disinfectants and soap to ten health posts in selected woredas.

The DPPB update indicates that the situation of IDPs in Fafen and Hartisheik camps of Jijiga and Maesso of Shinile zone remains of concern. These groups are chronically dependent on food aid. Continuation of humanitarian support and sustainable solutions including re-integration are needed.