Relief Bulletin: Weekly Humanitarian Highlights in Ethiopia 13 Feb 2007

THE 2007 JOINT HUMANITARIAN APPEAL LAUNCHED

The 2007 Joint Humanitarian Appeal for Ethiopia was launched on Monday, 12 February seeking a total of US$ 179,338,641 to address food and non-food sectoral requirements. An improved food security situation is anticipated for 2007 due to an expected increased harvest in many parts of the country. As such, a new approach has been introduced in the way the Government with assistance from the humanitarian partners addresses emergency needs and allocates resources. This year, allocation will be determined by more specific area-by-area and case-by-case assessments, in order to ensure those in most need of relief items are reached. As part of this new approach, emergency beneficiaries identified in Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) woredas will be addressed through existing safety net resources. Despite the good food prospects, however, an estimated 1.36 million people will require emergency food assistance, due to severe impacts of flooding, localized agricultural production failure and other shocks. The total emergency food required for the year is estimated to be 150,580 MT, of which 90,000 MT is carry-over pledges and stock from 2006, leaving a net requirement of 60,580 MT. In addition, approximately US$ 128,944,600 is required to address non-food sector needs including outstanding flood rehabilitation and recovery requirements. For more information contact: ocha-eth@un.org

AWD: MAJOR CONCERN IN AFAR, OROMIYA AND SOMALI REGIONS

While cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) are decreasing nationwide, new woredas continue to be affected. AWD cases in Afar, Oromiya and Somali Regions are particularly worrisome with increasing new cases reported last week. Over 1,400 people have so far been affected in Gewane, Bure Mudayitu and Amibara woredas, zone three, and Afambo woreda, zone one in Afar, with 52 deaths reported in January. The AWD pathogen is believed to have spread to Afar through labour migration from other regions. The Government together with humanitarian partners including UNICEF, CARE, PSI, APDA and OXFAM are providing water and environmental sanitation supplies and awareness raising campaigns among other interventions. The region has also formed a taskforce to oversee and coordinate efforts. In Oromiya Region, more than 400 people are now affected in Ginir and Goro woredas, Bale zone with 20 deaths reported to date. The disease continues to spread in Bale despite the implementation of control measures. Meanwhile, the situation in Somali Region remains of concern with 73 serious cases admitted for hospitalization in Kebridehar town, Korahe zone. While case management, treatment and control measures are underway, limited resources are overwhelmed by increasing caseloads. The total number of cases nationwide has now reached 55,652 with 598 deaths. Contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org, ocha-eth@un.org and igetachew@unicef.org

UNFPA ASSESSMENT ADDRESSES GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN EMERGENCIES

UNFPA has commenced a comprehensive two month assessment on the impact of humanitarian situations and crises on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Ethiopia. The assessment has two main objectives: to provide evidence based data on the nature and prevalence of GBV in such situations, and to produce recommendations and an appropriate response for the National Strategy on GBV to be drafted later this year. A parallel assessment will be conducted in Shimelba and Kebri Beyah refugee camps in order to review existing services to victims of GBV in these camps and to develop an action plan to cover the gaps. For more information contact: arrault@unfpa.org

NUER COMMUNITY PEACE-BUILDING MEETING TO BE HELD IN GAMBELLA

Leaders of the Lou and Jikany Nuer, neighbouring pastoral groups along the Ethiopian-Sudanese border, plan to meet next month to continue a community-driven peace-building process that began last year when the groups unexpectedly declared a truce ending 14 years of conflict. The meeting is the product of intensive discussions involving the Lou Nuer, the Jikany Nuer, the Government of Ethiopia, the Government of South Sudan, the UN OCHA Pastoralist Communication Initiative (UN OCHA-PCI), PACT and civil society organisations. The event will be held in the remote Western Ethiopian town of Tiergol and is expected to involve 300 delegates in the hope of formulating a plan with the endorsement of state officials to ensure peace continues along the border between Ethiopia's Gambella region and South Sudan's Akobo district. The meeting due to take place between 12-18 March is expected to end with the communities making a formal commitment to peace and a statement of the guiding principles and next steps for continuing the peace dialogue. For more information contact: info@unocha-pci.org