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Ethiopia Weekly Humanitarian Bulletin, 18 November 2013

Countries
Ethiopia
+ 1 more
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

Key Events

  • With renewed tension reported in northern Kenya over the past weeks, more displaced Kenyans are expected in Ethiopia’s Moyale area. Before this sudden reversal of the security situation, reports had indicated that the Kenyans displaced in Moyale, Ethiopia since mid-July were slowly returning to their homes. The Ethiopian Government is addressing humanitarian needs through DRMFSS and partners. Food and NFIs were distributed, although gaps in NFI support are reported.

Health Update

The response to the Horn of Africa polio outbreak continues. In Ethiopia, the Government and partners are planning the second round polio NID, tentatively scheduled for 20 to 23 December. The vaccination campaign will target some 10.6 million children under-5. Some 8.3 million children under-15 will also be targeted in Somali and high-risk zones in Benishangul Gumuz, Gambella, Oromia, SNNP and selected refugee communities, in January 2014. Separately, measles cases continue to be reported in SNNP region. Initially reported in Wolayita zone, the measles outbreak has now spread to Bench Maji, Gamo Gofa, Sidama, Silte zones and Hawasa city of SNNPR and to three woredas of Borena and Guji zones of Oromia region. The Regional Health Bureaus and health partners have intensified preventive and control measures in the affected areas. In Dire Dawa, epidemiological and laboratory investigation is underway following the increase in reported cases of Acute Febrile illness. Enhanced surveillance, case management and social mobilization activities are put in place, awaiting the laboratory results characterizing the nature of the disease. For more information, contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

Response to East Hararge and Nogob

Response to the conflict-affected people in East Hararge zone of Oromia region and Nogob zone of Somali region is on-going. The response is coordinated by the Incident Command Posts (ICPs) based in Harar for East Hararge and Jijiga for Nogob. In East Hararge, food assistance was delivered for the entire caseload. The 5,820 households requiring NFI support in Meyu woreda also received NFIs, while IOM is finalizing plans to deliver the items to 2,000 of the 3,460 households requiring NFI support in Kumbi woreda. In addition, UNICEF and Plan International will establish temporary learning spaces for 4,884 (38 per cent girls) children and rehabilitate five schools in Meyu woreda (Chalo, Gido Misira, Kile, Mululuke and Roge) and one school in Mino town (Kumbi woreda). Teaching and learning materials and teacher training in psychosocial support and peace education will also be provided to benefit the full caseload.

In Somali region, NFIs were delivered to the Kubi caseload, while the conflict-affected households in Meyu Muluku have yet to receive the items. Half of the people requiring food assistance in Nogob received their ration. For more information, contact: ocha-eth@un.org

WaSH Update

Good deyr rains received in the past week improved water availability in Dollo Ado woreda of Liben zone, Somali region. The operation of the nine water trucks in the woreda was ceased as a result. Currently, four trucks are operational in the country, including in Elidar woreda of Zone 1, Afar region (all three trucks requested) and in Raya Azebo woreda of Southern Tigray zone, Tigray region (one of four trucks requested), leaving a gap of two trucks in Raya Azebo and one truck in Shire town. Also in Tigray, water availability improved in Adebay, Adikelebes and Edaga Arbi woredas – areas that had been reporting water-stress – following the construction of new water supply schemes and rehabilitation of existing ones.

Separately, flooding was reported in Kelafo, Mustahil and Ferfer woredas of Shabelle zone, Somali region in the third week of October, as a result of the overflow of the Shebelle River. UNICEF, WFP and UNOCHA conducted a joint assessment in the flood-affected areas to determine levels of need and gaps. Assessment findings will be reported in due course. Meanwhile, the Government and humanitarian partners continue to respond to the flood-affected communities in Dassenech woreda of South Omo zone, SNNPR and Abaya and Gelana woredas of Borena zone, Oromia region. For more information, contact awesterbeek@unicef.org

Relief food update

As of 13 November, distribution of the fourth round of relief food stood at 95 per cent and the fifth round at 57 per cent. Meanwhile, dispatch of the sixth round relief food reached 28 per cent. The humanitarian community is discussing ways to cover the seventh round relief food ration, which will be the “bridging round” until the next Humanitarian Requirements Document. For more information, contact wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.