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Ethiopia: COVID-19 Humanitarian impact - Situation Update No. 01, As of 31 March 2020

Countries
Ethiopia
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

This report is prepared under the auspices of the National Emergency Coordination Center for COVID-19 response, led by the National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC), supported by OCHA Ethiopia with participation of Cluster Coordinators. It covers the period from 13 March to 31 March 2019.

HIGHLIGHTS

• COVID-19 is the latest humanitarian challenge faced by the Government of Ethiopia and humanitarian partners in the country. On 13 March 2020, the first case was confirmed, and as of 31 March, there were 26 confirmed cases, including 20 in Addis Ababa, two in Amhara region (Bahir Dar and Addis Kidam), three in Oromia region (Adama) and one in Dire -Dawa.

• Seven million people targeted under 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan require uninterrupted food and non-food assistance to survive.

• On 16 March, the Ethiopian Prime Minister announced several measures including a two-week ban on mass gathering, school closure, and border closure further extended for two-week from 30 March onwards.

• Regions have taken strict measures to control the spread of the pandemic. Measures include banning all travel and mass gathering.

• Government at all levels is committed to enable the provision of humanitarian assistance to people in need.

• As of 30 March, Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to at least 80 international destinations, to minimize the magnitude of the COVID-19 spread and with possible impact on humanitarian supply chains and movement of international medical teams.

• The National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC) has activated an Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) to coordinate the multi-sector response to the outbreak. Similar coordination centers or taskforces have been established in all regions.

• IDPs, including those residing with host communities, are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to their living condition.

• The Logistic Cluster, led by NDRMC and WFP, has been reactivated to coordinate demands for COVID-19 emergency supplies in the country, and ensure ability to transport goods throughout the country.

• On 26 March, a global COVID-19 response plan was launched by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and principals of WHO – UNICEF – and OCHA. The Plan covers a 9-month period (to be updated monthly) and requests US$ 2 billion to address the first-line response to the pandemic.

• A national COVID-19 response plan is being finalized by Government and partners, a multi-sector response for the next three months.

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