Food Security and Nutrition Update
The latest food security update from FEWSNET/WFP indicates that the performance of the belg/gu seasonal rains has been below normal so far, increasing the likelihood of reduced food security in both pastoral and agro?pastoral areas. Initial indications show that cases of malnutrition continue to be reported in SNNPR (Wolayita, Hadiya, Sidama, Kembata Tembaro, Gurage, Gamo Gofa and Dawro zones) and Oromiya (West Arsi, Bale, East and West Hararghe zones). The poor belg rains have limited harvesting of root crops, sweet potato and enset, normally consumed during the lean season.
The Government, meanwhile, is scaling up nutrition programmes in response to the increasing acute malnutrition. The March 2009 hotspot woredas list has been reviewed and the updated list will be shared with all partners next week. The Oromiya regional government has allocated a one month food ration to 201,000 additional beneficiaries identified following joint rapid assessment missions. Meanwhile, the final report of the Somali Region nutrition survey, undertaken in Ayesha, Filtu, Degehabur, Hamero, Bokh, Bare and Kelafo woredas is still to be presented at federal level.
UNICEF, as nutrition cluster lead, is organizing joint UN/NGO efforts in support of Government priorities. CONCERN, ACF, World Vision, Save the Children-US, GOAL and IMC are supporting nutrition response in Wolayita, Sidama, Kembata Tembaro, Gamo Gofa, Gedio and Burji Special woreda. In mid-May UNICEF has sent 5.8 MT of Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic-Food (RUTF) to West Arsi, Borena, East and West Hararghe zones in Oromiya Region, enough to approximately 580 severely malnourished children for a period of one month. For the transition phase of the treatment of severe acute malnutrition in Therapeutic Feeding Units (TFUs), UNICEF provided 685 kg of F100 therapeutic milk to Shashamene woreda in West Arsi. UNICEF also sent four TFP training kits to the Oromiya RHB, sufficient for the training of 200 health workers. For more information contact: ocha-eth@un.org, ethiopia@fews.et, & wfp.addisababa@wfp.org
Relief Pipeline Breaks
WFP reports that one round of relief distribution is available for the second quarter given the low level of available resources. The Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS) available in-country stock stands at 17,785 MT, including 5,034 MT for relief and 12,751 MT Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP). WFP inputs to the national relief programme are short by 177,983 MT (US$155.7million); while inputs to PSNP are short by 53,329 MT (US$46.1 million); Targeted Supplementary Feeding shortfalls are 30,565 MT (US$ 26.5 million). The Ethiopian Food Security Reserve Administration (EFSRA) stock stands at 118,647 MT.
Meanwhile, preparations are ongoing for the national needs assessment that forms the basis for the requirements in the second half of the year. The assessment, led by the Government, is expected to start on 8 June in Afar and belg-growing areas and on 22 June in Somali and agro-pastoral areas of Oromiya. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org
AWD Update
The Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) cases reported in Bure Mudayitu and Gewane woredas of Afar has been controlled through timely interventions by the Regional Health Bureau (RHB), UNICEF, CARE, AMREF, Rehi Wedu and APDA. The RHB in collaboration with the investment office mobilized private investors to improve hygiene and sanitation facilities for the day labourers including additional latrines. CARE is assisting the RHB by providing medical and logistical supplies in Awash Fantale, Amibara, Bure Mudayitu, and Gewane woredas. The outbreak started among day labourers at private cotton farms near
the Awash River in April 2009.
In the light of current AWD outbreaks, UNICEF and WHO are revising existing regional Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans to ensure better coordination between partners and centralize assistance requirements. The two agencies will conduct emergency preparedness and response assessments in Somali, Oromiya, Afar and SNNPR from 1 to 5 June. Similar assessments will be conducted at the end of June in Amhara and Tigray. For more information contact: ocha-eth@un.org, who-wro@et.afro.who.int & kmcdonald@unicef.org
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