Relief Bulletin: Weekly Humanitarian Highlights in Ethiopia 15 Aug 2003

Despite robust contributions, Food Aid Stocks still Needed for early 2004
The Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC) on 12 August released a Special Early Warning Report on "The Impact of the Belg Harvest and Rains in Pastoral Areas on Food Availability". The result of the assessment has confirmed that a total of 2.4 million additional beneficiaries need food assistance as of August in addition to the estimate given in earlier assessments. This means that 1.8 million people, who were only targeted for food distributions until July, pending the outcome of the Belg season, will now need an extension of assistance as of August, while there will be 600,000 new beneficiaries. The beneficiary number as of August has therefore increased from 9.9 million established earlier to 12.3 million people, putting the total for the year at 13.2 million. The ration rate used for the estimate has been expanded to include pulses (50,015 tonne requirement, not yet resourced) to reduce the problem of malnutrition, and is set at 500 gm cereals, 50 gm pulses and 15 gm oil per person per day for all beneficiaries, although availability may for the time being limit the rations of pulses and oil to the worst off. An additional 150 gm per person per day of supplementary food (blended food) is also considered for 35 percent of the most vulnerable part of the needy population. The DPPC, WFP and the other relief partners recognize that there are some extra resources of food aid at hand to address the new needs, but the implication of using the extra resources now is that at the end of the year, unlike in the past, all relief resources would be exhausted. Given the prevailing high level of destitution and malnutrition in many areas, and the likelihood of the emergence of new areas of need during the period leading up to the end of the year and early into 2004, it is recommended that there be sufficient stocks available to meet these likely additional needs. In light of this, the DPPC is appealing to donors to consider the donation of 200,000 tons of cereals, which if not used this year can be carried forward into 2004 as contingency supplies.

MoA reported favorable rainfall situation in kiremt rain benefiting areas

During the last two weeks, the overall rainfall amount was sufficient with a normal distribution pattern throughout most Kiremt rain benefiting areas of the country. The situation is favorable for agricultural activities and therefore farmers are being encouraged to finalize land preparation and planting of short-cycle crops. Furthermore, the good precipitation received has created favorable conditions for normal growth and development of different crops at different growth stages. Heavy rainfall was observed causing erosion and hail damage in some highland areas of North and South Gondar, East Gojam, North Shoa and some areas in Hadiya, Kembata Tembaro and Gurage zones of SNNPR. However, some areas of Eastern Tigray and lowland woredas of East Hararghe and North and South Gondar zones received short rains for two to three days with uneven distribution. The southeastern and southern low lying areas remained dry creating favorable conditions for harvesting Belg crops in places like Konso Special Woreda in SNNPR.

USAID Reports Alarmingly High Level of Kwashiorkor Among Severely Malnourished Children in SNNPR

Therapeutic feeding centers in SNNPR are reporting a high level of edema, or Kwashiorkor in admitted patients. The highest levels are reported from the Taza health center in KT Zone with 90% of children suffering from edema. A recent survey by CDC in Borecha woreda found that 77% of severely malnourished children are suffering from Kwashiorkor. Kwashiorkor, seen most frequently in children ages one to three years is associated with infectious diseases. Additionally, recent research points to a deficiency of several key micronutrients as well as protein and links the presence of kwashiorkor to areas dependent upon maize and enset. USAID reports that the alarmingly high levels of Kwashiorkor among severely malnourished children under five underline the complex and increasingly critical emergency situation in SNNPR.

Inter-Agency Assessment in Hula Identifies Problems

An inter-agency rapid assessment undertaken in Hula woreda in Sidama zone of SNNPR, identified a high level of malnutrition both severe and moderate attributed to the decline in harvest over the past five years and the complete failure of the maize crop in 2002. Hula woreda also suffers from milibug infestation on the enset crop as well as inadequate health care services. The assessment team recommends to immediately address the needs of the malnourished children through supplementary and therapeutic feeding and that a general ration be supplied to current beneficiaries until full harvest is obtained. For the longer-term, water sources, agriculture problems and health services should be evaluated and upgraded accordingly.