CERF allocates $1.3 million to respond to Acute Watery Diarrhoea outbreak and malnutrition
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A family in Ethiopia [Photo: IRIN]
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8 August 2008: The combination of severe acute malnutrition, an outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhoea, and an influx of Somali refugees is negatively affecting the existing humanitarian emergency in Ethiopia. The situation has prompted CERF to provide rapid response grants for UN programmes to address the crises.
In reaction to over 1,000 reported cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea across the country and eight people that have died between January and May 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) is using a CERF grant to strengthen the local health systems to better cope with the increased demand for services in drought affected areas. Furthermore, it is ensuring a continuous supply of essential life-saving drugs and medical supplies while enhancing the monitoring of disease.
WHO is also supporting 75,000 children with severe acute malnutrition in southern Ethiopia through a CERF grant. Poor seasonal rains in most regions have led to meagre crop production adding to Ethiopia’s food insecurity due to the global food price crisis. By improving the community based surveillance and referral system, WHO is increasing referrals of severe acute malnutrition cases to stabilization centres where children can receive necessary care.
The continued influx of Somali refugees into the eastern part of the country is straining Ethiopia’s ability to provide safe refuge for them. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is utilizing CERF funds to continue the building of a new refugee camp in Sheder, including temporary school and health facilities, for the current influx of Somalis. In addition to shelter, UNHCR is providing refugees transportation from a transit camp to the Sheder camp, food for three days upon arrival at the camp, primary health care, and basic items such as blankets, mosquito nets, soap and cooking items. The project is expected to assist the 2,500 to 5,000 Somali refugees arriving at a transit centre in Laffissa each month.
[Last Update: 22 August 2008]
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CERF allocated US$ 18.5 million for humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia
16 July 2008: The food security situation in southern and northern Ethiopia is rapidly deteriorating. Most regions have suffered prolonged dry periods and lack rain since September 2007. Low rainfall amounts during the October to December rainy season combined with low March to May rains have resulted in low crop harvests and crop production to totally fail in some parts of the country. Consequently, there have been very low food supplies in the markets and food availability in households has been dwindling. Malnutrition is rising and people are being forced to resort to extreme coping mechanisms, which include reducing food intake, selling assets and withdrawing children from school. Some households have lost substantial numbers of animals and have no herds at their disposal to buy food with. The situation is compounded by the global problem of soaring food and fuel prices and the intermittent conflict in the Somali region.
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A widow and her grandchildren in Ethiopia [Photo: IRIN]
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The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is addressing the humanitarian emergency in Ethiopia through CERF-funded nutrition, health, and water and sanitation projects. It is procuring tents and other non-food items to set up 50 emergency Therapeutic Feeding Programmes to treat severe acute malnutrition in 3,000 cases in-patients and 57,000 out-patients. UNICEF is also training 5,000 Health Extension Workers in the management of malnutrition in over 200 districts. To address other health needs, UNICEF is supplying a measles immunization campaign by purchasing measles vaccinations and associated supplies in order to immunize 1.8 million children in Ethiopia.
UNICEF is also utilizing CERF funds to provide improved access to safe water to 60,000 people. It is rehabilitating 60 Therapeutic Feeding Centres in Amhara, Oromia, Somali and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region in the area of water and sanitation. Project activities include extending existing water supplies and establishing new ones, providing water treatment chemicals, disinfecting water, and providing essential training on operation and maintenance to local water managers, committees and health extension workers. Improved access to safe water is being provided to 60,000 people.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is responding to the humanitarian crisis by enhancing people’s resilience to food insecurity. It is providing food baskets as well as blended foods to 750,000 beneficiaries. Furthermore, WFP is providing take-home rations to children discharged from in-patient stabilization centres to out-patient programmes.
[Last Update: 21 July 2008]
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