United Nations aids Ethiopian flood survivors

(New York 9 August): The United Nations in Ethiopia is responding to needs created by floods in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, which have reportedly led to at least 200 deaths and displaced approximately 3,000 people.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has pre-positioned 2,000 family kits in the affected area, while the World Food Programme (WFP) is releasing a one-month ration of food for 10,000 people affected by the floods. Meanwhile, non-food items, which were dispatched by WFP, have now arrived.

During the night 5 to 6 August 2006, very heavy rains caused flooding in the region of Dire Dawa, 525 kilometres east of the capital, Addis Ababa. In addition to those who have died or become displaced, 300 people remain missing. Some affected individuals are sheltered in schools, while others remain at the sites of their former houses. Dire Dawa, the sixth biggest city in Ethiopia, has an estimated population of 400,000 people.

On 7 August, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) accompanied the Government of Ethiopia assessment team to Dire Dawa on a one-day assessment mission. The mission found that food and non-food items including clothes and shelter were needed immediately.

During the flooding, the Dechatu River overflowed its banks by up to 200 meters on either side, sweeping away homes, trees, fences and all other objects in its path. In some places, entire buildings and concrete fences were destroyed. The risk of flooding remains high because heavy rains are falling in the highlands outside the city.

An initial response, including food and non-food items from the Ethiopian Government, began on 6 August. To date the DPPA has distributed 7.1 metric tones (MTs) of high-energy biscuits, 50 MT rice, 1.5 MT vegetable oil, 4,000 blankets, and other supplies.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Kristen Knutson, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.