Drought/Food Crisis in Ethiopia - 23 Sep 2008

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Date: 23 Sep 2008
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Situation report: Drought/Food Crisis in Ethiopia - 23 Sep 2008
Highlights:
- Government announces enhanced food distribution mechanism for the Somali Region
- Cases of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) reported in Afar, Amhara and Tigray Regions
- Concern grows about the impact of food insecurity on communities in Afar and Somali Region.
Humanitarian Overview
Current Context
Government and humanitarian partners continue to respond to the range of health, nutrition and livelihood needs generated by the combined effects of the drought and food crisis in Ethiopia. In Oromiya and SNNPR, children continue to access treatment at therapeutic feeding programmes whilst concern grows about the impact of food insecurity on nutrition status of vulnerable groups in Afar and Somali Regions. The government has recently announced a revision of the estimated number of people in need of humanitarian assistance from 4.6 million to 6.4 million. The revision of the figures will necessitate additional resources in order to ensure that those in need receive appropriate level of assistance.
Sectoral Updates
Health and Nutrition
Key Issues
Nutrition: Government and humanitarian partners continue to support feeding programmes for children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in drought-affected regions of the country. In Oromiya and SNNP regions, where the crisis first manifested, children continue to access life-saving treatment at Therapeutic Feeding Units (TFUs) and Stabilisation Centres(SCs). In SNNPR alone, 2,901 children with SAM were admitted between 22nd and 28th August to TFPs bringing the total number of new admissions reported between 27th June and 28th August to 31, 236 children1.
In Afar Region, reports from a range of actors point towards compromised food security at the household level with direct consequences for the nutrition status of vulnerable groups including children. The Regional Health Bureau and DPPA in Afar Region has identified an initial 12 hotspot woredas including Elidaar and Kori (Zone 1), Erebti, Berhale and Bidu (Zone 2), Gewane and Bure Mudaytu (Zone 3), Teru, Yallo and Gulina (Zone 4) and Dalifage and Semurobi (Zone 5). The Emergency Nutrition Coordination Unit (ENCU) is urging all partners with the capacity to carry out nutrition surveys and subsequent interventions in Afar Region to scale-up response.
Health: The number of woredas reporting active cases of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) continues to increase despite ongoing multi-agency efforts to minimise a further outbreak of the disease. The primary triggers for the spread of the AWD are increased rainfall in selected areas, poor quality of drinking water, limited access to sanitation services and poor hygiene practices.
Health and nutrition partners are particularly concerned about cases of AWD in areas classified as hotspot areas on the basis of nutrition and food security situation. According to WHO, Amibara woreda in Afar Region, Goncha, Dejen, Takusa, Ebenat and Fogera woredas in Amhara Region, Ada'a, Gimbichu and Lome woredas in Oromiya Asegede Tsmbila, Tahtay Adiyabo and Tahtay Koraro woredas in Tigray Region, are currently reporting cases of AWD.

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)Date: 23 Sep 2008