Relief Bulletin: Weekly Humanitarian Highlights in Ethiopia 18 July 2005

RAPID ASSESSMENT IN RESETTLEMENT SITES IN TIGRAY REGION

Following reports of poor humanitarian conditions in resettlement sites in Western Tigray Region, WFP and the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau (DPPB) undertook a rapid assessment in Kafta Humera and Tsegede woredas from 4-7 July. The mission confirmed signs of poor humanitarian conditions, though the situation is not considered to be alarming at this stage. Incomplete infrastructures, mainly for potable water supply and construction of health posts, poor capacity of health staff and lack of medicine, especially for malaria, have negatively influenced the quality of the support given to the resettlers. The lack of potable water, latrines and poor sanitation has aggravated prevalence of diseases, particularly diarrhea. The government is supplying the resettlers with cereals at a ration of 21kg/head of household/month with a further 15 birr/head of household/month to buy other food ingredients. If a head of household brings other family members, each member is entitled to receive 15 kg of cereal/month. The resettlement support is usually provided for eight to ten months until the resettlers have their first harvest. The poor availability of nutrition data limited findings of the mission in this area. However, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)-Holland has conducted a nutritional screening in one site, which shows indications of acute malnutrition amongst children under five. A full nutritional survey will be conducted to confirm this finding. The WFP/DPPB mission also recommends that nutritional surveys should take place in order to assess the situation fully. For further information: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

HUMANITARIAN CONCERN IN BORENA ZONE, OROMIYA REGION

The on-going conflict between Gabras and Gujis in Borena zone, Oromiya Region that displaced 43,700 people has not been resolved. In April it was reported that many people in Hagere Mariam, Yabello and Arero were displaced and several thousand huts were burnt. It is expected that the number of beneficiaries requiring urgent food and non-food assistance will increase when the belg assessment results are released this week. After an assessment last May, the DPPC provided some food and non-food assistance for 2,000 IDPs, the majority of which were Gabras in Yabello. Contact: ocha-eth@un.org

CRITICAL MALNUTRITION IN KEBRIBEYA REFUGEE CAMP, SOMALI REGION

Preliminary findings from a recent UNHCR, WFP and Administration for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA) nutritional survey in Kebribeya refugee camp, Somali Region, indicate critical malnutrition among children. The Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) is 16.2 percent and 1.5 Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) with 1.8 under five child mortality rate. There are an estimated 10,000 refugees living in the camp. WFP and partners have agreed to relax the admission criteria at the supplementary feeding centre to address the high rates of malnutrition. Two weeks ago WFP and UNHCR reported critical malnutrition in the two refugee camps in Gambella Region and action is being taken to improve the situation. For further information: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

EECMY/LWF PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO IDPS IN FAFEN, SOMALI REGION

Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) and Lutheran World Federation (LWF) have provided food and non-food assistance to 1,000 IDP households in Fafen, Somali Region from 9-10 June. The distributed items include five tonnes of high protein biscuits and 1,000 plastic sheets and 845 blankets. Contact: Lutheran.world@ethionet.et

GOAL REPORTS IMPROVING SITUATION IN KUNI WOREDA, OROMIYA REGION

GOAL's preliminary nutritional survey in Kuni woreda, West Hararghe zone of Oromiya Region indicates an improving situation with a 6.1 percent GAM and 0.1 percent SAM. According to the survey, even though the situation has improved from last year (8.2 percent GAM and 0.6 percent SAM, June 04), it is still considered as poor with the presence of aggravating factors in a chronically food insecure area. It recommends a follow up on the coverage of immunisation in the woreda and strengthening the existing health services. In addition, new sources of water and maintenance of the existing ones are recommended to improve the quality of potable water. Contact: goal.ethio@ethionet.et

SITUATION UPDATE IN EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIYA REGION

CARE in its monthly update reported a normal food security situation in most of its reporting woredas except in Grawa and Bedeno woredas of East Hararghe zone. According to the report the Community based Therapeutic Centre in Grawa woreda has reported new admissions of 116 severely malnourished children in June. WFP also reported that malnutrition is significantly increasing, particularly in lowland woredas of the zone. CARE also reports that there are no outbreaks of human diseases and good livestock condition in most of the reporting woredas. However the price of is reported to be the highest in the past five years in all reporting woredas. WFP also reported that potato blight, a fungal disease, has damaged 90 to 100 percent of production in all potato producing areas of the zone. Meanwhile safety net and relief distribution by the government and CARE is in progress in Kurfachelle and Grawa woredas, and emergency food distributions have started in Bedeno woreda. In addition there are two newly opened Out Patient Therapeutic Programme sites in Doroba valley and Grawa town in an effort to manage the high caseload of severely malnourished children. Contact: care.eth@ethionet.et & wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

LANDMINE REPORTS RISE AS AWARENESS GROWS

The Ethiopian Mine Action Office (EMAO) reports a significant increase in reports of suspected landmines in Gemhalo and Zalambessa woredas in Tigray Region. According to UNICEF this is an indication of growing awareness due to community based initiatives, including a recent UNICEF funded workshop between mine clearance teams and community liaison workers. For further information contact: igetachew@unicef.org