Attachments
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
Note: The last situation report was dated March 19, 2010.
BACKGROUND
Consecutive seasons of failed rains, a rapidly growing population, increased inflation, endemic poverty, and limited government capacity have led to chronic food insecurity and water shortages in large areas of Ethiopia, including Somali Region and parts of Afar, Amhara, Oromiya, Tigray, and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples (SNNP) regions. In addition, populations in many areas of the country confront significant humanitarian challenges, including conflict, malnutrition, and delayed food deliveries. In Somali Region, insurgent activity and security operations have disrupted trade networks, and restrictions on the movement of people and livestock, combined with the failure of past rains, have exacerbated food insecurity.
On February 2, 2010, the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (GFDRE) released the 2010 Humanitarian Requirements Document (HRD), identifying 5.2 million people in need of emergency food assistance in 2010. In addition, an estimated 7.5 million chronically food-insecure beneficiaries currently receive food assistance and/or cash transfers from the GFDRE-managed Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP). The GFDRE plans to expand the PSNP in 2010 to assist 8.3 million people per year through 2014.
On October 5, 2009, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Tulinabo Mushingi reissued a disaster declaration in response to the ongoing complex emergency in Ethiopia. USAID/OFDA supports a range of humanitarian programs to address non-food needs, including rapid-response capacities in nutrition and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), as well as more sustained interventions to address health, nutrition, water, and food security needs countrywide. USAID/OFDA staff continue to monitor the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia in order to identify evolving needs and recommend further assistance. In addition, USAID/OFDA supports improved humanitarian coordination mechanisms and works to facilitate humanitarian access to affected populations in Somali Region. USAID's Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) continues to respond to food needs in Ethiopia through the provision of emergency relief assistance.