Drought Emergency in Somali and Oromiya Regions, Ethiopia 28 Feb 2006

Highlights(1)
- 1.7 million emergency food beneficiaries in Somali Region and Borena zone, Oromiya. 614,000 people are under close monitoring in both areas.

- The forecast for the 'gu' rains is not promising (March - May). The number of food aid beneficiaries could increase significantly if the rains are poor.

- Water shortage reaching critical levels with 640,000 people requiring emergency water in Somali Region and 100,000 in Borena.

- Measles vaccinations underway.

- Critical malnutrition in East Imi (Gode zone) 21.6% GAM, 2.6% SAM; Cherati town (Afder zone) 18.6% GAM, 2.3% SAM; Moyalle and Hudet (Liben zone) 19.7% GAM, 1.7% SAM.

- Water and Sanitation, Health and livestock urgently require US$12.3 million to carry out life-saving programmes in the next three months. To date, US$ 852,480 million has been secured.

- Massive death of animals anticipated in the coming few weeks in Borena zone.

Overall Summary: The humanitarian situation remains critical in the southern zones of Somali Region and in Borena zone of Oromiya Region. The situation is expected to deteriorate as the on-going dry 'jilal' season (January-March) advances. There are also concerns over the upcoming main rainy season ('gu' rains in Somali Region and 'ganna' rain in Borena zone - March-May), as the National Meteorological Services forecasts a rainfall deficit for the already drought-affected areas. The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Agency (DPPA) continues to dispatch emergency food aid for 1.5 million people in Somali Region and for 155,000 beneficiaries in Borena zone of Oromiya Region. WFP is providing a full food basket and supplementary food for 35 percent of beneficiaries regarded as the most vulnerable groups. The DPPA has sent a multi-sectoral assessment team (MoWR, MoH, MoARD) to Jijiga, Liben, Afer and Gode in Somali Region to jointly monitor the situation. However, the humanitarian crisis in Borena zone has not yet adequately captured the attention of humanitarian partners at all levels. This is mainly due to poor capacity of the zone to manage the crisis, including prioritising the needs and sharing information timely. There is a strong fear that massive death of animals could occur in the coming few weeks. Sectoral taskforces have quantified their respective emergency needs; however, to date, there is no consolidated emergency need.

With estimates indicating that there are more than 56,000 children vulnerable to moderate and severe malnutrition and with critical malnutrition levels found in the drought-affected areas, the limited availability of plumpy'nut affects therapeutic feeding programmes. Stocks of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), plumpy'nut have been held in customs due to modifications on the taxation process. NGOs have requested UNICEF to act as an umbrella body to bring sufficient quantities into the country; UNICEF indicated that funding must be secured for the increasing resource requirements as capacity to implement CTCs has increased. For immediate use, UNICEF reported that there are 300 tonnes of plumpy'nut available and that procurement must begin for more tonnage, as these supplies should not last more than a few months.

Footnote

(1) The information in this document is consolidated from reports and field information from a variety of sources including UN agencies, NGOs and government partners.

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