Ethiopia: Humanitarian Bulletin - 28 Dec 2009

Food Security Update

The latest WFP weekly report indicates that the unseasonal rains are benefiting recovery of range lands, water sources and development of late planted crops such as chickpea, haricot beans, sweet potato in some parts of SNNP, Oromia, Tigray, Afar and Amhara regions. In lowland areas of Oromia (Bale, Guji and Arsi) the rains are rejuvenating pasture and water sources. In most highland and midland areas of the region, meher crop harvest is being completed. In SNNPR, many woredas have received unseasonal rains that contributed in improving food security situations, except in Burji and Amaro Special Woredas, where significant meher crop loss was reported. In Tigray, WFP reports that rains were received in Emba and Enderta woredas, while dry weather conditions prevail in most parts of the region. Rains have also been reported in Zone 1 and 4 of Afar Region, while chronic water deficits continue in Elidar, Kori, Bidu and Erebti woredas. In Amhara, rains were reported in southern and eastern zones that benefited late planted crops. Meanwhile, the seasonal rains have stopped in Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz regions. Water and pasture are available in both regions, resulting in good physical condition of livestock. However, preliminary meher reports indicate that the meher crops performance is very poor. The Somali Region Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau November update indicates that the food security situation during the month has been normal, following the early onset and 'near adequate' performance of the deyr rains. Terms of trade have become favorable for pastoralists as their purchasing power has improved due to increased market price and demand for livestock with the Hajj season and the opening of livestock trade market with Saudi Arabia. The report also highlights that the abrupt cessation of the rains in mid-October, which was supposed to have extended until December, is likely to make the improvements short-lived.