Horn of Africa: Floods - Apr 2005

1) Moisture deficits remain following a mid-season dry spell that occurred in early November and recent drier than average conditions. With a shortened recovery period in the next several weeks, this could result in a deterioration of pastoral and agro-pastoral conditions, and possible crop yield reductions by the end of season throughout parts of Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and eastern Tanzania.

Final Report; Period covered: June 2005 to May 2006;

Final appeal coverage: 55%

Appeal history:

- Launched on 24 June 2005 - http://www.ifrc.org/cgi/pdf_appeals.pl?05/05EA013.pdf- for CHF 735,000 (USD 576,796 or EUR 477,164) for 6 months (ending 24 December 2005) to assist 43,000 beneficiaries.

- Operations Update no. 1 - http://www.ifrc.org/cgi/pdf_appeals.pl?05/05EA01301.pdf- issued on 26 October 2005.

- Operations Update no.

BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

SUBJECT: Natural disaster preparedness in East Africa and the Great Lakes.

SIGNIFICANCE: Over the past 20 years, greater responsibility has been placed upon national governments for disaster planning, and mitigation, in their own territories.  However, recent disaster episodes in the region suggest that its governments are some way from meeting their obligations.

(New York: 17 July 2007): From getting medical treatment, building material and food to Afghan refugees to providing helicopters for distributing food in Sudan, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has given almost $201 million for life-saving aid activities in the first half of 2007. The largest amounts of rapid response funding from the CERF during this period went to Mozambique ($11.2 million), Guinea ($9.8 million) and Chad ($7.2 million).

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries.

In Brief

Period covered by this Final Report: 1 June to 30 November 2005.

History of this Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF)-funded operation:

CHF 100,000 allocated from the Federation's DREF on 31 May 2005.

ROME - As crises across Africa continue to dominate the humanitarian agenda, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today warmly welcomed a contribution from Turkey of US$ 2 million, for its operations in eight countries where millions face daily food shortages due to drought, floods, disease or conflict.

From Turkey's US$ 2 million donation, US$400,000 will go to Chad, where WFP is currently providing support to over 220,000 refugees from Darfur in neighbouring Sudan as well as some 57,000 Chadians who have been displaced by conflict in the border area. Part of the donation …

Weekly Introduction:

Indian and Atlantic Oceans Remains Warm The Indian Ocean Dipole, partially responsible for the above normal precipitation in the Horn of Africa during the past few months, has broken down. Despite this, the weakening El Nino signature in the Pacific has allowed the wet conditions around Lake Victoria to remain in place.

Additionally the warm temperatures in the tropical Indian Ocean have remained in place. Thus the possibility of additional tropical cyclones developing remains.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The situation in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of the country during the Sugum/Gu rains of 2006 showed mixture of normal to below normal performance. This had been the actual occurrence in Somali and Afar regions, South Omo Zone of SNNPR and Borena Zone of Oromiya that constitute the vast pastoralist communities.

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

NAIROBI, 7 December (IRIN) - The main challenge in responding to the flood emergency in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia continues to be providing adequate supplies of safe water and sanitation facilities to prevent outbreaks of diarrhoeal and other water-related illnesses such as malaria, the United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) said.

The agency said on Wednesday it would require US$30.4 million to respond to the flood crisis in the three countries until February 2007.

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.

Each week, the World Health Organization Department for Health Action in Crises in Geneva produces information highlights on the health aspects of selected humanitarian crises. Drawing on the various WHO programmes, contributions cover activities from field and country offices and the support provided by WHO regional offices and Headquarters.

By Staff

Barentu, 16 February 2006 - The inhabitants of 11 area administrations in Golij sub-zone, Gash-Barka region, renovated 94 km-long road as well as 1,500 cubic meters terracing and embankments through campaign.

Roads that were out of function due to heavy rains have also been repaired and are currently serving as reliable transportation facilities.

Apart from these development activities, the local inhabitants would take active part in the construction of two water reservoirs in Golij and Diriesa that are expected to irrigate 5,000 hectares.

APPEAL EXTENSION

By Staff

Mendefera, 1 February 2006 - Durko dam which was destroyed in last year's heavy rains is now being reconstructed at a cost of 10 million Nakfa. Previously, the dam was serving for irrigation and drinking purposes over the past 20 years.

The dam that is now being reconstructed on different site by Bidho Construction Company would have a capacity of holding 635,000 cubic meters of water.

The head of the project, Mr. Beletsom Embaye, said that it is progressing well and is expected to be finalized after 4 months.

Nairobi, Kenya - Civil unrest in parts of Somalia is exacerbating the impact of severe drought in the country, according to a new study by leading aid agency CARE International into the root causes of poverty in the Gedo region.

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 181 countries .

This week 's report covers the following sectors: Agriculture, Coordination and Support Services, Food, Health, Infrastructure and Rehabilitation, Refugees and IDPs, Security, Shelter and Non-food Items, Water & Sanitation

This week 's report covers the following sectors: Agriculture, Coordination and Support Services, Food, Health, Infrastructure and Rehabilitation, Refugees and IDPs, Security, Shelter and Non-food Items, Water & Sanitation