The August 27, 2009, WASH ETF meeting was predominated by a distressing report presented by UNICEF on current AWD/Cholera epidemic that is alarmingly expanding both in terms of caseload and its geographic spread out. Herein below the details are presented.
As cautionary note, the policy line is such that the term “Cholera” is only used in technical discussion and the term “AWD” replaces it in public addressing and official communications such as the media.
AWD/Cholera now expanded in to Seventy Seven Woredas of seven regions, including; Addis Ababa, Oromiya, Amhara, Harari, SNNPR, Somali and Afar. The latter two are having the highest Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 2.7 % and 2.6% respectively. This is followed by Amhara with CFR of 2.4%. FMOH report indicates an overall CFR of 2.2%. The lowest CFR is reported for Harari and Addis Ababa. In terms of caseload, Afar and Oromiya are the most affected with each reporting 5, 200 and 4,300 cases respectively out of the total reported caseload of 15, 400. These two regions are also with largest numbers of Woredas affected. Controlling the disease in Addis Ababa is said to be particularly important as this might continue to be the reservoir of the disease.
All these figures above are from reported clinical cases in the formal health institutions and as a matter of fact, no data is available for those whom might remain out of reach of the public health service.
At risk population is estimated to be 8 Million with a projected caseload of 130, 000 in 92 Woredas requiring 250 CTCs.
In addressing the crises, reactivating the existing coordination forums and mapping out the 3Ws is now a priority. The Health Partnership Forum without government representation is highly desired to air out independent views and concerns for policy dialogue and feeding into the negotiations with authorities. Three is a growing concern that access might be an issue in some regions; Amhara, SNNPR and Oromiay for instance.
In a related area of concern, demand for WASH supplies has already exceeded supply and water guard which is used to be sold for 2 EB before the current outbreak is now costs 20 EB. UNICEF supplies which are in government stores have to be accessed by NGOs and this requires some negotiation. WASH supply subgroup is now established. UNICEF, OXFAM UK, OXFAM Intermol?, PSI, CARE and Aqua Tap are members.
UNICEF are contemplating to use the upcoming major religious events as opportunity for communication strategy and public awareness creation as higher outturn is expected. . saint’s day in Debre Libanos, Gishen Mariam, Shenkor Yohanes in East Show are particularly targeted. UNICEF and IRC will work on the communication strategy.
UNICEF has already accessed funding from OCHA/HRF, OFDA, CIDA and SIDA. However, to determine any funding gap, the official planning data is expected from the FMOH.
UNICEF has volunteered to provide guidance on how NGOs might access OCHA/HRF funding for AWD.
IRC also announced that NGOs can access small grants ranging form USD 15, 000- 100,000 from their USAID funding available for sub granting.
OCHA is expected to continue helping the existing coordination mechanisms. WASH ETF, currently co-chaired by UNICEF and MoWR appears to be functioning well. Reactivating the Health Partnership forum of NGOs, WHO, UNICEF and NGOs is a priority.
The other priority for OCHA is to closely monitor Amhara, Oromiya, SNNPR and Somali as access by wider humanitarian actors in AWD/ Cholera response might be a potential constraint. In the Somali region, on top of ongoing security challenges and now AWD/ Cholera, widespread water shortage is being reported currently.
WASH ETF also emphasized the need to continuously update the 3Ws for AWD/ Cholera and the finalization of the Consolidated Humanitarian Requirement Document in a way that reflects the current humanitarian needs in the country and as commonly understood OCHA are expected to continue facilitating this process.
