ReliefWeb

EARLY WARNING AND RESPONSE SUMMARY

• Pursuant to the NMA forecast stronger rain producing weather systems are anticipated over Belg rain benefiting areas during the month of March 2013. Therefore, the situation will change gradually and the Belg rain benefiting including other areas will have relatively better rainfall.

• In areas where near normal rainfall is likely farmers are advised to practice appropriate water harvesting technique to use the expected limited moisture efficiently.

• On the other hand, the expected dry and sunny weather situation over some parts of the country could result in fire outbreaks in some lowland areas. Accordingly, attention should be given when using fire around barns and near dried grass and bushes in order to avoid fire hazards.

• The cereal consumer price index stabilized between the months of January and February 2013. This is in line with seasonal expectations represented by the five year average which also predicts that cereal prices would stabilize.

• Between the months of January and February 2013, the cereal price index fell in Afar, Somali and Gambella regions by 5.9%, 3.2% and 2.6% respectively. Prices stabilized in SNNP, Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions. In Benishangul Gumuz, on the other hand, an unseasonal cereal price increase of 4.4% was observed.

• TFP admissions at national level continued to decrease in January, however, admissions started increasing in February in East Hararghe zone in Oromiya region.

• Admissions are projected to start increasing in February and March

• Timely comprehensive (good coverage) and combination nutrition responses is critical for preventing and avoiding an unusual increase in acute malnutrition in hotspot woredas.

• Nutrition cluster partners are commitment to strengthen nutrition response in hotspot woredas filling gaps, building and integrating within the existing government lead nutrition programmes