Attachments
Highlights
An upsurge of cholera cases has been reported in Somali and Oromia with over 3,600 confirmed cases across 49 woredas in the two regions.
Flash floods are expected across regions of Ethiopia that annually receive normal and above-normal rainfall during the belg rainy season (March-May), anticipated to be worse this year due to El Niño. UNICEF is prepositioning relief items in floods prone areas in preparation and coordinating with local partners on the ground.
UNICEF is enhancing access to potable water and increasing resilient and adaptation capacities in communities vulnerable to drought and flash flood-prone areas in Hamer woreda, South Ethiopia region, through the installation of sand dam.
In March 2024, UNICEF supported nearly 48,000 people through child protection interventions including mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), family tracing and reunification and alternative care services for unaccompanied and separated children and prevention and response to violence, including gender-based violence (GBV). Additionally, UNICEF and partners supported the treatment of over 30,000 children with severe wasting across all regions of the country.
UNICEF requires US$ 535 million to support the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance, including supplies, cash, essential services and technical assistance to refugee children, adolescents, and families. As of the end of March 2024, US$ 60 million is available, leaving 89 per cent funding gap.
Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs
Ethiopia faces a high risk of seasonal disasters, including floods. These floods are exacerbated by the effects of climate change and increasing humanitarian needs. Every year, large parts of the country are affected by seasonal flooding, impacting communities and their livelihoods. The El Niño effect further increases the risk of extreme events and floods, especially in the southern and southeastern regions.
The Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI) recently forecasted flash floods during the upcoming belg rainy season (March-May 2024) in areas with normal and above-normal rainfall across most parts of Ethiopia.
The belg season, considered Ethiopia’s short rainy season, is expected to receive greater rainfall in various regions during April and May.
Ethiopia is currently experiencing an active cholera outbreak in 83 woredas across Somali (26), Oromia (23), Afar (9), Harari (9), Dire Dawa (8), South Ethiopia (SE) (3), Central Ethiopia (CE) (3) and Sidama (2) regions with almost 30 per cent from densely populated cities (Kebridahir and Jijiga in Somali Region). Both drought and unseasonal rainfall contributed for rise of cholera in Somali Region as a result of climate factors.
According to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), since August 27, 2022, a total of 40,677 cholera cases1 and 544 deaths with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 1.34 per cent from 335 affected woredas. Notably, the number of cholera patients admitted to cholera treatment centres (CTCs) increased significantly from 151 in February to 262 in March (151 in Somalia, 104 in Oromia, 4 in Harari and 3 in Dire Dawa), with 75 per cent of these cases are directly linked to the consumption of untreated water from rivers, streams, and lakes, compounded by unseasonal rainfall and drought.