This report has been prepared by the United
Nations Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia (UN-EUE) from information provided
by United Nations Agencies and NGOs
Mr. James Borton, Technical Coordinator
Tel.: (251 1) 51 51 47
Fax: (251 1) 51 45 99
HIGHLIGHTS
=B0 Rains in the south and east
of the country have continued at satisfactory levels, helping pastoralists
to recover from the effects of the drought.
=B0 Responses to the 1997 Special Appeal for Assistance to Drought-Affected
Regions have been slow Food and water point rehabilitation are still needed
in the affected areas.
=B0 Distribution of a special one month food ration to drought-affected
migrants and local residents in the Dolo/Suftu area has started under the
"Cross-Mandate" approach.
=B0 Wolayita continues to face an acute food shortage.
=B0 Belg rains are reported to be normal for the month of April in
most of the belg crop-producing areas.
SPECIAL ISSUES
Rains during April have been normal throughout most of the country. This
has brought relief to the formerly drought-affected areas of the south
and east, with new vegetation being generated and water points being replenished.
Assistance operations to these areas continue, however, in order
to counter the effects of livestock loss and to help rehabilitate the weakened
population. Water point development and rehabilitation is also underway.
Update on DPPC Special Appeal
Response to the DPPC's Special Appeal for assistance (issued 28 February)
has been far below expectations. Canada has pledged between 5,000
and 7,000 MTs of grain but so far no deliveries have been received. The
Government of the Netherlands has also pledged USD 3 million in emergency
assistance.
In the absence of international deliveries and donations, the DPPC has
been diverting grain originally intended for other areas to the drought-affected
regions and has borrowed from the National Food Security Reserve (FSR).
FSR stocks are now below their minimum level and special approval
from the Board of Governors is required before additional loans can be
made. This may result in delays in food deliveries.
On 29 April, 300 MTs of grain is reportedly distributed to approximately
20,000 residents of three weredas (Hamer-Bena, Salamago and Kuraz) of South
Omo Zone. This is part of the 1,530 MTs expected to be supplied to
the zone by the DPPB. Distribution is said to be hampered by insufficient
heavy-duty trucks as well as damage to roads due to the rains.
Drought-affected people in Shinile Zone of the Somali National Regional
State are facing severe food shortages at the end of April as only 350
MTs of the amount requested from the Region has been delivered and distributed.
Another 160 MTs is expected to be transported to the zone by the
end of April.
UNDP accelerated the release of USD 100,000 for the rehabilitation of water
wells in the Gode Zone of Somali Region. Phase One of a Contingency
Planning Exercise for Borana Zone and the Somali Region is undertaken as
part of a special emergency grant made by UNDP. The exercise, carried
out jointly by the UNDP/EUE and DPPC supported by the WHO/Pan-African Training
Centre, seeks to develop contingency plans in case of possible recurrence
of drought in the areas affected in 1996/97. The reports of the two
study teams are under review and will be further elaborated during May.
A proposal for a study of existing water points in the Somali Region
and Borana Zone has been submitted jointly by UNDP/EUE and UNHCR to the
Ministry of Water Resources for approval.
The Government of Ethiopia has decided to use 40,000 MTs of US-donated
Title III development grain for emergency relief purposes related to the
Special Appeal. An agreement to this effect is expected to be signed
soon between the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (MEDAC)
and the US Government shortly.
The Emergency Operation (EMOP) allocation of 25,200 MTs requested by WFP
has been approved by the agency's headquarters in Rome and forwarded to
FAO for final approval.
The European Union (EU) is currently studying several project proposals
for water source (borehole, well, pond) rehabilitation in Borena and parts
of Somali Region. As mid- and long-term measures, these projects
are expected to improve the general situation of the drought-prone areas
in the south. Agencies that submitted project proposals include UNICEF,
UNHCR, WFP, SCF/UK, CISP (Comitato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli)
and COOPI (Cooperazione Internazionale).
CARE, which donated 157 MTs of maize to the Oromiya DPPB, has also been
involved in water tank operations around Yabelo (Borena). CARE is
now financing the drilling of a new borehole (with a submersible pump)
for Yabelo town.
Lutheran World Federation Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus: LWF/EECMY
has distributed 150 MTs of maize, 450 MTs of lentils, 303 MTs of oil and
120 MTs BP5 high energy biscuits to four storehouses in Borena (Moyale,
Mega, Yabelo and Hagere Mariam).
Dolo Distribution Carried Out
Under the arrangements of the "Cross Mandate" approach being
taken in the south under the coordination of the DPPC, distribution to
migrants and local residents has started. The one-month ration of
360 MTs is being distributed by WFP in three rounds instead of one in view
of security concerns and storage difficulties. According to WFP,
two of the three distributions are completed in April. Approximately
240 MTs of grain is distributed to migrants and local residents in Dolo
and Suftu (190 and 58 MTs, respectively).
In addition to this amount, the central DPPC has allocated 18.9 MTs of
supplementary food to Dolo and Suftu, to be distributed to children in
need among both migrants and local populations. The supplementary
food is expected to arrive in Dolo around 23 April.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) assisted the Somali
Regional Bureau of Health by transporting 7 MTs of drugs (provided by the
Bureau of Health and Central Ministry of Health) to Dolo. These drugs
are to be sold to members of the local population on a cost-recovery basis.
The ICRC will also assign a nurse to assist the operations of the
Dolo Health Centre and to take part in the distribution of supplementary
food.
After Drought Not Yet Over
More than 275,000 people in Afar Regional State are reported to be affected
by drought according to the Afar Regional DPPB. All twenty-eight
weredas in the region are drought-stricken due to lack of rainfall in 1996
and 1997. Rains over the past month have not been sufficient over
most of the Afar Region. In addition, the Bureau of Agriculture requested
an urgent supply of veterinary drugs and health agents. Central government
said these needs could be met with existing resources.
UNICEF: Migrants to Moyale in Need of Assistance
The United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has carried out a
field visit to Moyale Wereda in Liban Zone of Somali region. The
mission reported that there is a large group of Kenyan migrants (estimates
vary between 327 and 1,200 households) camped at the outskirts of town
with very little food and no assistance. In the Somali part of the
Moyale area, an influx from Kenya of an estimated 120,000 people, majority
of whom lost their animals are believed to be in need of assistance. Movements
of these people in the areas of El Gof and El ley are observed, but no
back-migration across the border into Kenya has so far been confirmed.
The nutritional and health status of that influx appears to be above
the official critical mark, but still gives cause for concern. Food
distribution by the DPPC (two trucks) to the local population in need is
facing logistic constraints due to poor road conditions.
Based on this assessment and discussions with local health authorities,
UNICEF has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health for a rapid implementation
of anti-diarrhoeal and micronutrient deficiency disease intervention. The
proposal is now pending with the MOH.
Food Shortage in Wolayita
The 1997 belg rains started in Wolayita during the third dekad of March
after a delay of almost two months. Also, according to available
information, the late onset of the rains has had a negative effect on the
planting of the maize crop. Even after the rains started, there was
at least one five-day dry spell. In addition, the coverage of the
rains cannot be considered satisfactory both in distribution and amount.
It is too soon to tell what the effect will be on the late planted
crops.
The latest report from the SCF (UK)'s Nutritional Surveillance Programme
(April 1997) indicates a general decline in nutritional status. Mean
weight for length figures has dropped from the January levels of 93.0 percent
and 94.5 percent to 91.7 percent and 92.2 percent in the east and west
highlands, respectively. Cereal prices have jumped by 20-25 percent
in the past month.
At a meeting between the DPPC and NGOs operating in the area, it has been
announced that the official number of people in need is 423,258. The
DPPC has distributed food for April based on these figures, but reports
that it will not be able to meet the distribution requirements with existing
stocks for the remaining months (May-July). In addition, there is
a serious shortage of private transporters in the Soddo area, and those
NGOs that still have trucks have been assisting in providing transport
between wereda and Peasants Association stores. A technical task
force has been formed with SCF-UK. USAID's Famine Early Warning System
and WFP to examine the different assessment figures and identify priority
actions to be taken.
Flooding in Arba Minch and Jimma
Heavy flooding in Arba Minch reportedly has killed 29 people, left 621
people homeless and has damaged property estimated to be worth approximately
389,000 Birr. According to the Ethiopian Herald (24/4/97), the North
Omo Zone DPPD has distributed 93 quintals of grain and 495 pieces of clothing.
The Ethiopian Red Cross Society has supplied 857 pieces of clothing
as well as grain, tents and household utensils to those who are left homeless
by the flood.
Six persons are also reported to have been killed in flooding in Kossa
Wereda of Jimma Zone during mid-April. The individuals are swept
away while trying to cross a local river.
SECURITY INCIDENTS
Concerns over security threats have been raised following three grenade
attacks in four days (12-15 April) in Addis Ababa and a fourth grenade
attack in Dire Dawa on 26 April. One woman is killed and 41 others
sustained serious and minor injuries in two separate blasts that occurred
within minutes of each other on 12 April. The two explosions took
place at Tigray Hotel in Addis Ababas Piazza neighbourhood and at Blue
Tops, a restaurant located near Sidist Kilo. The blast at the Tigray
Hotel has claimed the life of a 25-year-old waitress and caused heavy and
minor injuries to 33 others. In the Blue Tops attack, four Britons
and two French people are among the injured. On 15 April, a third
blast occurred at the Tana Supermarket, in the centre of the busy Markato
area of the capital. Thirty-three people are wounded in the blast.
No one has officially claimed responsibility for any of the bombings,
although several arrests have reportedly been made. Ethiopian Herald,
15/4/97 and Monitor, 15/4/97.
AGRICULTURE AND RELATED ISSUES
Food Aid Pledges
WFP has reported imports of 675 MTs of oil to be used in food-for-work
projects being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and 753 MTs of
sugar for the refugee programmes. 6,230 MTs of wheat and 518 MTs
of oil are expected to be delivered shortly for the refugee programmes.
Capacity Building Pledges
The Norwegian Government has pledged to donate 50 large tents to the DPPC.
The tents are intended to strengthen relief stations.
EFSR Storage Capacity
Between January and March 1997, EFSR provided 64,586 MTs of grains to four
NGOs and the World Food Programme. A total of 13,305 MTs of grains
from previous loans has been repaid back to the reserve. Stock holdings
as of 30 April are as follows (by storage location): Kombolcha, 48,524
MTs; Mekele, zero; Nazareth, 20,472 MTs; Shashamane, 8,167 MTs; Dire Dawa,
zero; total physical stock, 77,163 MTs below the level at which special
procedures apply prior to the granting of any new loans.
As of the end of April, outstanding loan has amounted to 128,293 MTs while
under withdrawals are recorded by the EFSR administration as 61,297 MTs.
Deliveries expected shortly include 5,929 MTs from WFP and a total
of 34,262 MTs from the European Union (includes a recent pledge of 24,000
MTs intended to bring the FSR up to its medium-term target holding of 307,000
MTs).
The FSR board has agreed to conduct a desk study on how to determine price
exchange ratios to be used to settle loans made in one type of grain with
repayments made in another.
Local Purchase Programme
So far this year, 5,454 MTs of grain has been delivered through WFPs local
purchase programme. Another 37,412 MTs has been contracted for but
not yet delivered, and approximately 45,000 MTs has been tendered but not
yet contracted. Deliveries are reportedly significantly behind schedule
due to problems related to access of available grain and quality specification
procedures.
Contracts for the second phase of the European Unions local purchase programme
(totalling 15,103 MTs) have been prepared, but some of these contracts
may have to be cancelled (7,218 MTs of maize and 565 MTs of wheat) at the
request of the traders. The request is apparently due to increases
in the market prices of these two commodities since the launch of the tenders,
meaning that some traders are now not in a position to supply the grain
for the originally tendered prices.
Grain Export to Other Countries
The European Union has received authorization from its headquarters in
Brussels to tender for contracts to purchase 9,070 MTs for later monetization
in the Somali region. The operation is set to begin in June 1997.
In another development, Ethiopia Amalgamated has been awarded a contract
from the EU-Uganda office to deliver 5,000 MTs of grain to Uganda. The
Ethiopian Grain Trade Enterprise is also now completing deliveries of 48,000
MTs of grain to Kenya.
HEALTH, NUTRITION AND SANITATION
Drought-Related Epidemics
On 23 April, the Ministry of Health released a Plan of Action for drought-affected
regions, zones and weredas. According to this document, cases of
measles, whooping cough, diarrhoeal diseases, and malaria were reported
in the Somali Region. Meningitis was also reported to have occurred
in Oromiya and SNNPRS. Anaemia and malnutrition were reported in
all three regions. The plan includes a request for assistance to
cope with existing health problems as well as to prevent the emergence
and further spread of epidemics. Activities proposed include capacity-building
measures, supplementation of stocks of essential drugs, vaccines, and medical
supplies, immunization, education, and support for assessments.
Malaria
Malaria epidemics are reported in 19 kebelles of Omo Sheleko Wereda in
Kembata-Alaba-Tembaro Zone. Approximately 6,800 people are reported
to have been treated. No deaths are reported. Drugs are provided
by World Vision International. Bahir Dar and Fenote Selam malaria
control stations also reported that 25,000 of the 41,000 people tested
positive for malaria. DDT spraying has been reported in Gojjam and
North Omo zones.
Government UNICEF Mid-Term Review Held
On 30 April, the Government and UNICEF held a joint Mid-Term Review of
the 1994-1999 Country Programme of Cooperation. The review examined
the progress of UNICEF development activities in Ethiopia and provided
a culmination to the regional reviews that have been conducted in all of
the regions. Since the start of its five-year country programme in
1994, UNICEF assistance to Ethiopia has exceeded USD 47 million, making
it the third largest of the agencys assistance programmes in the world.
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Ms. Karin Sham Poo attended
the review.
REFUGEES IN ETHIOPIA AND RETURNEE OPERATIONS
We apologize for not including our usual sections on refugee and returnee
issues. A comprehensive report to include the latest refugee statistics
will be provided in our Situation Report for the month of May.
DISCLAIMER
The designations employed and the presentation of material in this document
do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever of the UN concerning
the legal status of any country, territory, city or area of its authorities,
or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
SOURCES:
UNDP/EUE field reports; CARE; Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission
(DPPC); European Union; FAO; FEWS; National Meteorological Services Agency
(NMSA); Grain Market Research Project (MEDaC); SCF (UK); UNICEF; UNHCR;
WFP Food Aid Information Unit; WHO.
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB: http://www.reliefweb.int
Complex Emergency Division (CED) - New York
Mr. Yvon Madore
Tel.: (1 212) 963.1627
Fax: (1 212) 963.1388
E-Mail: madore@un.org
Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) - Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Mr. Arjun Katoch
Tel.: (41 22) 788.7020
Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Rosemary.Addo-Yirenkyi@dha.unicc.org
Press to Contact- Geneva:
Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2856
Fax: (41 22) 917.0023
Telex: 414242 DHA CH
E-Mail: Moulin-Acevedo@dha.unicc.org