United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (New York)
29 January 2008
press release
SOMALI REGION UPDATE
The long dry season – jilal – has commenced in all zones of the region. In areas with chronic water shortages there are increased concerns as to whether sufficient water availability exists for both human and livestock consumption. According to WFP monitoring teams, water shortages are already observed in Geladin, Boh, Shilabo, Bare, Goro Baqaqsa and Filtu woredas. The Regional Water Bureau has also identified hotspot areas for undertaking water schemes rehabilitation activities. The Regional DPPB has submitted a proposal for UNICEF to support water tankering in Warder, Liben, Gode, Afder, Fik and Korahe zones. During the week, WASH and Health Sectoral meetings, chaired by the respective regional government bureaus were held. Sectoral responses are ongoing. A six month emergency preparedness and response plan is being prepared by the regional government, which will be shared with partners shortly.
To date, approximately 20,320 MT of relief food commodities have been dispatched to the five priority zones under military operations. Approximately, 12,433 MT have reached to the FDPs of which 75 percent has been distributed to beneficiaries. This information is based on WFP monitoring missions and will be more comprehensive as monitoring progresses. Some of the food items are being stored at the woreda capitals for forthcoming distributions. WFP is currently considering initiating school feeding in 20 schools in the conflict areas, currently supported by UNICEF. The mobile health teams that were deployed last week have begun their operations using medical supplies provided to the health facilities. The Regional Health Bureau is planning to conduct Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI), Nutrition and WASH training in response to the health and health related emergencies in the region. UNFPA has deployed a Sexual and Reproductive Health Coordinator to Somali region. Based in Jijiga, the coordinator will work to ensure a coordinated response on issues of maternal health, Sexually Gender Based Violence and HIV-related issues. UNFPA has provided reproductive health kits to MDM mobile health teams and also plans to train UNICEF mobile health teams as well as equip them with the kits. Two suspected case of meningitis were reported from Karamara hospital in Jijiga this week. Laboratory investigation is underway to confirm the cases. Meanwhile, prices of livestock are expected to decrease as the dry season proceeds and livestock body condition deteriorates. Pasture and livestock conditions have significantly deteriorated in most of the grazing areas in Mustahil, Kelafo and Ferfer woredas. For more information contact: ocha-eth@un.org, wfp.addisababa@wfp.org, & kmcdonald@unicef.org
PASTURE SHORTAGE IN BORENA ZONE, OROMIYA REGION
There are growing concerns over shortages of pastures in Liben woreda, Guji zone, Oromiya Region and agro-pastoral woredas in Borena zone, where the performance of the recent hageya rains were very poor. Pastures in these areas are scarce and have led to an unusual early migration of herds. Influx of herds from neighboring Somali Region is worsening the situation. Findings of a recent assessment conducted by The Oromiya Pastoralist Commission in Borena zone identified priority intervention requirements including animal feed, vaccination and treatment, rehabilitation of water points and water tankering. The situation is most severe in Miyo and Dire woredas, particularly in the most affected four kebeles - Haralo, Melbana, Bokuluboma and Gorile. The government and humanitarian partners including FAO, SC-US, CARE and the Pastoralist Commission, Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Livestock and Meat Marketing Project (SPS LMM) are planning to initiate a commercial de-stocking programme as well as animal feed and veterinary interventions. Contact: Alberto.Pasini@fao.org & wfp.addisababa@wfp.org.
MEASLES CAMPAIGN TO COMMENCE IN SOMALI REGION
The Somali Regional Health Bureau, UNICEF and WHO are in the final preparatory stage to conduct a mass campaign to immunize about 720,000 children of 6 to 59 months against Measles. The recent increase of confirmed measles cases in the region, and the very low immunization coverage of Somali Region have increased the urgency of such a campaign to prevent further outbreak. The micro-planning process has been completed, the supplies are in stock and UNICEF is committed to support the financial and other logistic needs of the campaign. A major mobilization of all partners operational in the region will be required. Polio vaccination and Vitamin A supplementation at fixed outreach sites are also integrated into the campaign, which is tentatively planned to commence on 4 February 2008. For more information contact: kmcdonald@unicef.org
AWD UPDATE
Health surveillance data from the FMoH continued to show that AWD cases have significantly decreased nationwide. According to FMoH, Oromiya and Somali regions reported no new cases during the last four weeks. The epidemic is reportedly under control in the other previously affected regions. The significant decline in the number of reported cases need continued close follow to ensure that the epidemic is fully under control. Assessments and review meetings on the epidemic’s trend and response need to be carried out in order to document lessons learnt. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
