Somali Regional State, Ethiopia - Joint Field Mission to Nogob and Erer Zones: Mission Report (17-27 May 2022)

Executive Summary

This report summarizes the finding of the joint field visit. The joint field visit was undertaken by some of the subnational ICCG members to the drought-affected Nogob and Erer zones. The team was led by OCHA and was participated by WHO, WFP, OWDA, and ZOA. The team came crossed Horashagah, Garbo, Fik, Hamaro, Legahida woredas, and some IDPs living in collective centers and in host communities.

The overarching objective of this joint visit was to go and see the living conditions of the drought-affected people, and to understand specific/local dynamics given cyclical natural disasters (drought) that resulted in the new drought IDPs. Also, to see the emergency drought responses, gaps, and needs. In addition, to find out if there are challenges to be addressed and to strengthen the zonal humanitarian coordination meetings at Nogob and Erer.

The recent drought seriously affected Nogob and Erer zones and has displaced an estimated 115,638 individuals who are currently found in 89 collective centers. Out of these 74,940 individuals have been displaced in the Nogob zone and living across 74 sites. The number is escalating on a daily base. People have been displaced due to prolonged drought. There are already existing protracted IDPs both conflict and IDPs. The IDPs have lost most of their livestock and almost all their resources because of the drought.

The IDPs are living in an emergency shelter which is covered by cloth, cartons, and torn-out plastic sheets. The shelter can’t protect the IDPs from rain, theft, and other types of violence. On average, more than six people are living in one shelter. Women and girls living with other relatives stated that they shared the shelter with men which highly affect their privacy and dignity. The type of shelters that IDPs have as well as the lack of light sources on the site can increase the vulnerability of women to different types of GBV.

Over 155, 769 animals died and approximately 1 million animals are in poor condition due to the impact of consecutive droughts that is still execrating. The poor outlook of the current rainfall will result in more loss of animals and livelihoods. Purchasing power has deteriorated due to falling livestock prices (poor body condition) against increasing prices of food items (inflation) and they have no idea to copying mechanism to survive under this worsening food insecurity.

The biggest challenge is the lack of food, water, and pasture for the livestock. There is limited availability and access to food for all the population living in the Nogob and Erer zones including the displaced people due to many factors such as lack of food products in the local markets, while all these displaced people lost their assets livestock, no other income to purchase food to survive. For some people, it’s difficult to access the required food due to logistical constraints of food to reach their locations and the inflationary food prices in the local markets. All drought-affected people are in a desperate condition.