allAfrica.com: Ethiopia: Humanitarian Bulletin

SOMALI REGION UPDATE

The Somali Regional DPPB/SC-UK Food Security Update for the month of March indicates that the situation in the region is becoming critical as livestock mortality starts to be reported. According to the report, as the jilaal progresses, the cumulative impacts of poor seasonal rainfall performance has escalated in the worst affected areas with the start of sporadic livestock mortality, increasing food scarcity, and physical indications of increasing malnutrition among children, women and the elderly. Critical water scarcity continues to threaten the chronically water insecure areas in parts of Fik, Afder, Liben and Shinile zones and the birkad dependant areas of Korahe, Degehabur and warder zones. Increasing distance between pasture and water points continues to accelerate the deterioration of livestock body condition. Drought related livestock diseases are on the rise, affecting weakened livestock. The report also indicates that livestock herders are resorting to extreme coping strategies including slaughtering of calves to save emaciated cows. Meanwhile, recent information from the field indicates rain showers have been reported in some parts of the region including Jijiga, Awbare, Shinile, Warder and Filtu.

Meanwhile, emergency sectoral operations are ongoing. The Regional Livestock, Crop and Natural Resources Development Bureau (LCCNRDB) with support from FAO and NGOs including IRC, ACF and CRS/HCS have deployed veterinary teams equipped with veterinary drugs to seven woredas including Degehabur, Aware, Gashamo, Warder, Kebridahar, Shilabo, Shegosh and Shinile. Emergency water trucking activities are also ongoing. Approximately 87 water trucks are being operated by Government and partners to provide water in 22 woredas of the region. As of 30 March 2008, a total of 27,376 MT of food commodities have been dispatched to the five zones under military operation. To date 22,809 MT of relief food commodities have reached the final delivery points (FDPs) in these zones, of which 20,126 MT (88 percent) of has been distributed to beneficiaries. This information is based on WFP monitoring missions and will be completed as monitoring progresses. Also, some quantities of food are being stored at the woreda capitals for forthcoming distributions. For more information contact: adendppbew@yahoo.com, ocha-eth@un.org & wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

FOOD SECURITY UPDATE

Although there are reports of rains, the food security situation in most parts of the central and southern zones of Somali Region, lowlands of Oromiya and SNNP and some woredas of Tigray, Afar, Amhara and Gambella regions, remains of concern. In addition to the ongoing assistance to Somali Region, the Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) has allocated 9,343 tonnes of relief food for 509,390 beneficiaries in SNNPR and 1,032 tonnes for 66,512 beneficiaries in Gambella, based on verification assessments. Relief food dispatches to the two regions are expected to commence shortly. In Tigray, Amhara and Oromiya, verification missions are ongoing. The assessment missions are expected to provide an overview of the food security situation and possible emergency assistance requirements.

Meanwhile, under the Targeted Supplementary Feeding (TSF) in support of the Enhanced Outreach strategy (EOS) programme, 54 percent of the allocated 598 tonnes of food for the first round of distributions has been dispatched to 21,470 beneficiaries in Borena zone of Oromiya Region and distributions are ongoing; while, in SNNPR, 887 tonnes of supplementary food allocated for the second round of distributions for 31,834 beneficiaries has been dispatched. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

MENINGITIS CASES UPDATE

During the week, 18 suspected meningitis cases were reported from Amhara and SNNP regions. As of 23 March 2008, a total of 205 cases and nine deaths have been reported from five regions with Case Fatality Rate of 4.4 percent: SNNPR 144 cases and 5 deaths; Oromiya 50 cases and 3 deaths; Amhara, 7 cases and no deaths; Afar 3 cases and 1 death; and Addis Ababa city administration 2 cases and no death. The Federal Ministry of Health with support from WHO procured laboratory reagents and supplies for diagnosing meningococcal meningitis. Discussions are ongoing to secure funds to support the country meningitis preparedness plan. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

MEASLES UPDTAE

Suspected measles cases continue to be reported. During the week, a total of 31 new suspected cases were reported from Hambella Wamana woreda of Guji zone and Chiro woreda of West Hararghe zone in Oromiya and Addis Ababa. Total suspected cases since 1st of January 2008 to date are 6,769 from 24 woredas in five regions including Oromiya, 6,556 cases; SNNPR, 145 cases, Gambella, 38; Addis Ababa 25 and Afar 5 cases. Fund mobilization in order to conduct large scale immunization campaign in Oromiya and SNNPR is progressing. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

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