Joint UN-/DPPC Mission to Amhara region
reported stable situation
The UN-EUE conducted a joint rapid reassessment
mission together with WFP and DPPC in North Wollo, North Gondar and Gojam
zones of Amhara region. The findings were relatively positive. The food
aid shipments arrived mostly in time in all the woredas visited and the
grain stores at the distribution sites were mostly full. Problems were
encountered with food aid distribution, which were late in many places.
Reasons for this were the ongoing water harvesting and resettlement programs
that kept woreda officials busy. In some woredas the beneficiary numbers
had to be increased, due to harvest losses that occurred after the pre-harvest
assessment. In general, the situation in the visited woredas of the three
zones is stable.
New WFP EMOP Approved
A new WFP Emergency Operation for Ethiopia (EMOP 10030.2), "Relief Food Assistance to Small Scale Farmers and Drought-Affected Pastoralists" has recently been approved. Under the EMOP, WFP is appealing for resources to cover the needs of 4.6 million beneficiaries of the total 11.3 million in need. WFP food tonnage (net requirement) is 481,950 tonnes, with total costs at US$ 205 million. The duration of the operation is 12 months (1 April 2003 - 31 March 2004). As in previous years, WFP will cover part of the total relief requirements, with the remainder to be met by bilateral donations to the Government or to NGOs. WFP's portion for 2003 will be achieved through the combination of two WFP Emergency Operations: EMOP 10030.1 for January-March 2003 and the new EMOP Expansion 10030.2 from April onwards. These aim to cover 40 percent of overall requirements for cereals and part of the needs for supplementary food for 2003. The DPPC is WFP's implementing partner for this Emergency Operation. Beneficiaries are to receive food rations for typically between 5 and 10 months, averaging 7 months overall. The planning period covers the time until the next main harvest in November-December 2003 and makes provision for the expected needs in the first quarter of 2004.
EMERGENCY MEASLES & VITAMIN A CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF
The Ministry of Health (MOH), UNICEF and WHO launched a measles and Vitamin A campaign on 17 April targeting 1.9 million children aged from six months to 15 years in Bale, Shinille, Gurage and Silti zones affected by the current drought. The 7 days campaign (17-23 April) is funded by UNICEF, WHO, USAID, CIDA and the Governments of Japan and the Netherlands. The second phase of the campaign will target 3.3 million children between the ages of six months to 15 years in South Wollo, Waghimra, Arsi, Fik, Jijiga and Gode. The final phase will target almost two million children in Hadiya, Wollayta and East Shoa.
World Vision Donates Nutrition Survey Equipment to SNNPR DPPB
World Vision (WV) as part of its initiative to build local capacity in nutrition surveys, has designed a project that aims at strengthening the capacity of the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau (DPPB) of SNNPR to conduct and analyze nutritional surveys. The project included the purchase and provision of nutrition survey equipment and computers for data analysis and documentation. The project was planned and implemented in collaboration and full endorsement of the Early Warning Department of the DPPC and the Emergency Nutrition Coordination Unit (ENCU). The survey equipment will be distributed to the zones and priority woredas and are to be used in DPPC led nutrition surveys. The ENCU has provided training on nutrition assessment to regional, zonal and woreda DPPC staff.
WHO donates Emergency Health Kits
In response to the drought situation in Ethiopia WHO-country office with funds from the Government of Sweden, donated 56 Emergency Health Kits (EHKs) to the Ministry of Health (MoH). The EHKs will serve a population of 560,000 for over three months. In addition, the health Kits will help health facilities to build their health services during non-emergency times. It is to be recalled that WHO has recently donated 160 EHKs to MOH with the financial allocations of the Royal Government of Netherlands. WHO is also finalizing its preparation to intervene in water sector, particularly in quality aspects in collaboration with Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR).
FAO Reports Livestock problems in Tigray
The Tigray Regional DPPB reported to FAO this week livestock deaths and unusual livestock migration due to lack of rain in Raya Azebo woreda, Tigray region. The report indicated the need for an urgent additional feed for livestock. It stated that oxen death particularly would create additional problems for crop production and food security in the areas. Even though livestock fodder is said to be available in nearby woredas, farmers find it difficult to purchase as their savings are already exhausted.