Food Security Update

According to the preliminary findings of the national needs assessment, the food security situation in belgproducing areas is of concern. The 2009 belg crop production is much below average, with approximately 70 to 90 per cent crop loss in some areas. Moreover, serious water and livestock feed supply shortages have been reported in many lowland woredas. WFP also reports that poor performance of belg crops and declining livestock conditions have contributed to deteriorated food security in most areas in East and West Hararghe zones (Oromiya), stretching household coping mechanisms. In Afar, serious pasture depletion has resulted in decline in the physical condition of livestock, particularly in Zone 2 and Zone 5. Meanwhile, the early onset of the dry hagaa season in Somali Region is also gravely affecting pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Afder, Liben and Gode zones, while the delayed onset and uneven distribution of kiremt rains has also resulted in pasture depletion and affected livestock in South Omo zone (SNNPR). For more information contact: ocha-eth@un.org & wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

Nutrition Update

The findings of the standard nutrition surveys conducted in seven woredas of Somali Region, including Filtu, Ayisha, Degehabur, Hamero, Bare, Kelafu and Bokh, between 20 April and 13 May 2009 were released on 4 July in Jijiga. The regional authorities are now expected to organize a multi-sectoral planning meeting withpartners in the region to prepare a detailed action plan for the response. In Amhara, a standard assessment conducted by CONCERN in Gobalafto woreda in mid-June indicates the need for close follow-up on the nutritional situation and strengthening of existing health and nutrition related interventions. Moreover, in an extraordinary health and nutrition partners meeting for Oromiya Region on 25 June 2009, the Regional Health Bureau (RHB) called on NGOs to mobilise resources to address the current gap in services, with regional authorities looking to establish 66 Stabilization Centers and 801 Out-patient Therapeutic Programmes (OTPs) in hotspot woredas, particularly in Bale, East and West Hararghe zones. The NGOs IMC, CARE, Save the Children-US, and Merlin have agreed to work in partnership with government and United Nations agencies to address the current nutritional challenges in Oromiya. The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), meanwhile, invited NGOs to attend a Training of Trainers on OTP roll-out in Oromiya, Amhara and SNNPR on 2 and 3 July in a bid to contain the increasing number of TFP admissions. For more information contact: orlao@dppc.gov.et & ocha-eth@un.org

Emergency Resource

WFP reports that the break in the relief food pipeline continues. Although, the NGO Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP) has 87,279 MT of food commodities arriving in July, enough to meet the requirements of about 2.3 million beneficiaries, is the food is not expected to reach beneficiaries before August. In addition, WFP is expecting the arrival of 241,457 MT of food between July and September 2009. However, the majority of the food, 157,317 MT is scheduled to be used for loan repayments to the Ethiopian Food Security Reserve Administration (EFSRA) and other projects, leaving approximately 84,000 MT for all operations. WFP is currently discussing with the Government on ways to resolve logistical constraints. Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Transport Authority has advised transporters contracted by WFP to give priority to uplift of relief food from Djibouti warehouse. In June, WFP reports, the average number of trucks allocated to uplift food from Djibouti stood at 12 trucks a day, In June, WFP reports that the average number of trucks allocated to uplift food from Djibouti stood at 12 trucks a day. The agreement for 100 trucks per day is expected to be put into practice at the time the incoming vessels are berthed. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

AWD Update

According to official reports from the FMoH, a total of 199 new Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) cases and nine deaths with 4.5 percent case fatality rate (CFR) have been reported in Oromiya, Afar, Harari and SNNPR from 22 to 28 June 2009. During the week, 19 woredas have reported active cases in Oromiya, Harari and SNNPR. WHO continues to provide support to the affected regions through provision of emergency drug kits and technical assistance. In Afar, CARE is supporting AWD control activities through provision of materials, medicines and logistics in Gewane, Buremudayitu, Awash Fentale, and Amibara woredas. Meanwhile, the Somali RHB, in collaboration with Oxfam GB, Hararghe Catholic Secretariat and UNICEF, continues to respond to the AWD outbreak reported in Shinille zone. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int

Three Influenza A (H1N1) Cases in Ethiopia

The FMoH confirmed an additional case of Influenza A H1N1 during the week, bringing total reported cases in the country to three. The national technical working group is updating the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and response plan in view of the current pandemic phase. WHO supported the orientation of health workers on case management protocols. Daily coordination meetings continue at the FMoH, chaired by the Minister with support from WHO. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int