13 February 2012
Seasonal Outlook
The National Meteorological Agency forecast for the belg (mid-February to May) 2012 rainy season notes that the belg rains are expected to perform better in 2012 than 2011 despite an expectation that rainfall is likely to be inconsistent in distribution and amount throughout the season. While the rains are expected to have an erratic onset, their cessation should be normal. Overall, the belg performance is expected to be below- to near -normal over much of the eastern half and southern parts of the country, and below-normal across south-eastern Ethiopia. Near normal rainfall, however, is anticipated in western and south-western parts of the country. The belg are the major rains for the southern and south-eastern lowlands of Ethiopia, including the areas most affected by the drought in 2011, and important for the production of short-cycle crops and preparation for planting of long-cycle crops in central highland areas. For more information, contact: infodrmfss@dppc.gov.et
Health Update
During the past week, 223 new cases of measles have been reported from Gesha woreda, Keffa zone, in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), and 22 cases from Bambasi woreda, Assosa zone (Beneshangul Gumuz Region). Since the beginning of December 2011, Gesha woreda has consistently reported the most new measles cases in the country, with more than 50 per cent of each week’s reported cases. As previously reported, a mass measles vaccination campaign targeting children aged 6 months to 14 years was expected to be launched on 10 February, covering all woredas of Keffa zone, as well as selected woredas in adjacent zones. Ahead of the campaign kick-off, the SNNPR Regional Health Bureau, WHO and UNICEF have been supporting preparatory activities, and case management and health education continues in all affected woredas of SNNPR. In Beneshangul Gumuz, experts from the federal and regional Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) are closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, WHO is supporting the Oromia RHB to conduct review of the Public Health Emergency preparedness and response status, including Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) activities during the year 2011 in the region. For more information, contact: who-wro@et.efro.who.int
WASH Update
Worsening water shortages continue to be reported in parts of the country, with an estimated 690,000 people in need of emergency water assistance. Over the past week, water trucking requirements increased by 37 trucks (all new needs identified in East and West Hararge zones of Oromia region), to 108 trucks required in pockets of five regions, including Oromia (63 trucks), Somali (20 trucks), Afar (15 trucks), Tigray (9 trucks) and Amhara (1 truck). Currently, 38 trucks are serving some 126,000 people nationwide, leaving a gap of 70 trucks in Afar (11), Oromia (52) and Somali (7) regions. Newly emerging water shortages have also been reported in Boricha, Lok Abaya and Hawassa Zuria woredas of SNNPR. The NGOs LWF and GOAL have committed to provide two trucks each for water trucking in East Harerge zone (Oromia), while IRC will support six trucks in Bale zone (Oromia). Given the progression of the jilaal dry season (January – April), the water shortages are likely to worsen in the most affected areas of Afar, Oromia and Somali regions, requiring additional response. For more information, contact: awesterbeek@unicef.org
Nutrition Update
Admissions of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) to therapeutic feeding programme (TFP) sites decreased by 5 per cent from November to December 2011, with a total of 23,662 SAM cases admitted at 8,690 TFP sites in eight regions (84 per cent reporting). While the nationwide reduction was somewhat less than the 10 to 15 per cent reduction initially projected, TFP admissions in SNNPR and Oromia – the regions from which the majority of admissions in 2011 were reported – decreased by 15 and 17 per cent respectively. Elsewhere, however, TFP admissions remained stable at the November rates in Amhara and Somali, and increased (by 72 per cent) in Afar. The increase in Afar was associated with the expansion of TFP services in the region. In Tigray, TFP admissions fluctuated between November and December due to the community-based screening for targeted supplementary feeding conducted.
Overall, a total of 328,535 SAM cases were admitted to a monthly average 7,571 TFP sites nationwide (84.6 per cent reporting) in 2011. The regions most affected by the drought – Oromia, SNNP and Somali – accounted for 39, 31, and 8 percent of total admissions respectively. The performance of TFP services at the national level exceeded both national and Sphere standard cut-off points: the reported cure rate for the year was 84 per cent, with a total of 300,330 discharges, while the mortality rate was very low, at 0.5 per cent. The defaulter rate was 4.7 per cent. With the support of nutrition cluster partners, the Federal Ministry of Health increased TFP service coverage by 27 per cent nationwide, from 7,946 sites at the start of 2011 to 10,141 by the end of December. For more information, contact: isaackm@dppc.gov.et
Moyale Update
The number of Kenyans displaced into Ethiopia in recent weeks is estimated at 29,200, following finalization of the verification exercise conducted by the Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS) and local authorities, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Of those displaced, approximately 17,000 are in Oromia Region (Moyale woreda, Borena zone), while more than 11,000 Kenyans are in Somali Region (Moyale woreda, Liben zone). To date, food (rice and dates) for up to 29,200 people has been sent to the affected area by DRMFSS. For more information, contact: ocha-eth@un.org