Central Statistical Agency

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

I. INTRODUCTION

The 2011 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (2011 EDHS) was conducted under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and was implemented by the Central Statistical Agency from September 2010 through June 2011 with a nationally representative sample of nearly 18,500 households. The Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI) is responsible for the testing of HIV samples. All women age 15-49 and all men age 15-59 in these households were eligible for individual interview.

1. Key Issues:

• The teams in Shinile have been getting letters of support and local MoUs signed with the relevant district offices, as part of our exercise in gathering supporting documents from local level for the regional MoU agreements.

• Intermon Oxfam has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Regional Authorities in Somali region and with partner Pastoralist Concern Ethiopia.

2. General Humanitarian Situation

Safe water projects, October 1, 2011 (Dilla) -

Safe water projects constructed in Abaya Woreda, Borena Zone of Oromia State in 2003EC with over six million Birr have gone operational, the woreda water and mines office said.

Deputy Head of the Office, Shibiru Tamiru told ENA that the projects include digging of seven water wells and construction of five water distribution centers.

The head said the projects have benefited more than 57,000 residents.

The government and humanitarian organizations covered the cost for construction of the projects.

Debremarkos, October 1, 2011 (Debremarkos) - Preparations are underway to develop more than 10,000 hectares land through irrigation in rural localities in the environs of Motta Town, East Gojjam Zone of Amhara State during this year's dry season, the town agriculture office said.

Office Head, Walelign Alem told ENA on Friday that more than 34,000 farmers will take part in the irrigation development.

Walelign said 700 quintals fertilizer , nearly seven cubic meters compost and water pumping machines, among others, will be utilized to develop the land.

1. Introduction

Ethiopia is prone to devastating droughts and severe food shortages.

This country of 83 million people has a huge rural population dependent on subsistence farming.
It has suffered repeated famines. Over the past 50 years, these have often been by aggravated by conflict.

In October 2011, southern and eastern Ethiopia was once more in the grip of a prolonged drought that was also devastating Somalia and northern Kenya.

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Highlights

• UNHCR and partners seek US$18.3m to help refugees fleeing Sudan’s Blue Nile State

• An estimated 25,000 Sudanese refugees arrived in Ethiopia in three weeks; about 3,000 of them transferred to Sherkole refugee camp

• An estimated 1,500 refugees arrived on 23rd September fleeing fighting in Damazine and had walked for a week to reach safety.

• Kobe camp registered a notable decline in mortality rate

This is a summary of what was said by the UNHCR spokesperson at today’s Palais des Nations press briefing in Geneva. Further information can be found on the UNHCR websites, www.unhcr.org and www.unhcr.fr, which should also be checked for regular media updates on non-briefing days.

BEIJING, 26 September - Over 40 officials from China, Africa and the United Nations are taking part in a three-day “Sino-African High-Level Seminar on Drought Risk Reduction” which is calling for drought risk reduction to be on the agenda of the next year’s Sino-African Summit for Development Cooperation.