Summary record of UN/NGO meeting on Afar Situation

A meeting was held between UN agencies, NGOs active in Afar region and interested donors, chaired by OCHA, to discuss the reported emergency condition in Afar region. DPPC Early Warning Department was invited but did not attend. There was consensus that emergency needs exist in Afar region in excess of those covered in the Appeal and that an immediate response is essential.
The regional government Integrated Emergency Project Plan of 27 January 2005 (provided by the Region to the Federal DPPC on 27 January 2005) does not include a situation analysis on the present drought and its consequences. Immediate critical needs are not clear in the plan. There was consensus that the massive region-wide response called for in the plan is not appropriate and that more targeted interventions are needed immediately.

Livestock

There was consensus that there is a pasture problem due to drought conditions particularly in zones 4, 2 and 1. Nevertheless, the meeting agreed general fodder supply, which forms a large part of the regional Integrated Emergency Project Plan, should not be a priority for the response because it is too expensive and is not a sustainable solution. Instead, supplementary fodder should be provided together with health treatment/ vaccinations for breeding livestock as an intervention to protect livelihoods. Veterinary health interventions should be provided free of charge as part of the response to the emergency.

Health and Nutrition

Some UN agencies and NGOs have done quick assessments regarding the health and nutrition situation in different parts of Afar. One NGO indicated serious malnutrition and high mortality rate among children under five in Assayita Woreda, Zone 1; otherwise, there are no reports of mortality or severe malnutrition. It was agreed that nutritional information gathered by a number of NGOs indicate early signs of nutritional problems for children and that remedial action is necessary now to ameliorate the situation. A meningitis epidemic in zone 5 is reported although not substantiated by MOH or UNICEF. In addition, lack of access to heath services in Afar was discussed. It was agreed that needs identified through an assessment in the region should result in a formal request from the region to the federal level for health assistance.

Water and sanitation

Water tankering activities suggested in the regional emergency plan may not be cost effective. It was reported that water tankering activities are underway in the most affected areas and further needs will be assessed by UNICEF. Unusual rain was received in some parts of the region and rivers have flooded in zone 4. It is hoped that rain will improve the situation in the medium term for pasture and water availability, but still the need for water tankering in some specific areas requires immediate attention.

Food

Food needs for the month of January have been distributed to beneficiaries in all zones by WFP-DPPC. The food has been delivered to about 450,000 beneficiaries (both safety net and emergency beneficiaries). Discrepancies remain on beneficiary numbers between FDPPC and RDPPB. The appeal states 457,112 food beneficiaries for 2005 for Afar while the regional Integrated Emergency Project Plan increases that number to 560,030. It was suggested the RDPPB Integrated Emergency Project Plan should be considered by the Federal DPPC as forming an official request for a rapid assessment to verify the additional needs. A question was raised as to whether supplementary food was being distributed along with the general ration. WFP has indicated to OCHA that they will follow-up in Afar to clarify the situation regarding regular supplementary food distributions.

Coordination

It was agreed that the regional capacity to coordinate humanitarian efforts is low and this needs particular attention to set priorities, avoid duplication of efforts and wasting of scarce resources. OCHA will follow up with Federal DPPC.