9.7 M 2.3M 0.4 M 2.1M 0.8M $612 M

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE SITUATION REPORT

Response Name: Ethiopia Drought Response Response Code: ETH-dr-14 Category: 1 SitRep No: 15 Date: August 15, 2016 (reporting period: July 2016)

1. General Overview The mid- year revision of Humanitarian Requirements Document (HRD ) by the Government of Ethiopia and

Humanitarian partners has been finalized and launched on the 12th of August.

The revised HRD is based on the belg season joint government and humanitarian partners’ verification assessment, and indicates that the food security situation has shown limited improvements after the belg harvest due to a number of factors, including late and short duration of rains, availability of seeds and livestock recovery. The number of emergency food beneficiaries has dropped from 10.2 to 9.7 million, with a minor reduction in the projected SAM caseload due to improved food and TSF ration distributions. Here are the major needs as per the revised HRD:

9.7 m 2.3m 0.4 m 2.1m 0.8m $612 M

people Children children Without Outstanding Require food Moderately Severely safe drinking Displaced due funding assistance malnourished malnourished water to shocks requirements

The most recent National Meteorological Agency (NMA) forecast indicates that most kiremt rain-benefiting areas of the country will likely receive normal to above normal rainfall. This strong rainfall may continue beyond its usual seasonal period with the possible onset of La Niña. While these rains should boost agricultural production in highland areas, above normal rainfall could also spell disaster for communities in mid and lowland areas who were already affected by flooding and mudslides following the late, heavy belg. The peak of the kiremt rainy season (July and August) in most flood-prone areas of the country could be particularly severe and the response to flooding as well as to water-borne disease outbreaks have now been categorized by Save the Children as separate emergencies. Of more immediate concern is the forecast of 80% probability of Deyr rain season failure in the southeast of the country, across southern Somali and Oromia Regions, which in some areas could be classified as drought as they had poor Gu season performance in 2016.

Save the Children is in the peak of its drought response, delivering assistance at scale expending around $6m USD per month on the response and reaching over 250,000 new beneficiaries every month in more than 60 woredas across the country. July-September is the main lean season of the country, and all resources are being committed and focused on three key priority areas: the completion of the Meher seed distribution plan to over 70,000 households, the strengthening and readiness of 126 acute malnutrition stabilisation centres being supported by Save the Children, and the response readiness to further natural disasters including disease outbreaks like acute watery diarrhea (AWD), flooding or other health outbreaks.

2. OVERVIEW OF THE RESPONSE BY SECTOR

In support of the overall response coordinated by the Government of Ethiopia, Save the Children is implementing a multi-sectoral drought emergency response programme in over 60 woredas in Somali, Afar, Amhara, SNNPR, Oromia and Tigray Regions.

Nutrition and Health According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMC) August 2016 bulletin, in priority 1 woredas, for the month of June throughout the country, 96% of Targeted Supplementary Feeding Program (TSFP) supplies have been dispatched and 87% have been delivered. For the month of July, 18% of the supplies have been dispatched and delivered. From January to June 2016, a total of 496,950 MAM cases were treated out of an estimated 668,378 expected cases (74%).

In order to accommodate this high caseload of severe acute malnutrition and ensure accessibility to services, the Federal Ministry of Health expanded the number of facilities equipped to treat severe acute malnutrition from 14,214 to 15,933 (1,145 new facilities since January 2016) and the number of mobile health and nutrition teams has increased from 33 to 59 in order to access hard-to-reach populations in Somali and Afar regions.

During July, Save the Children has continued providing technical and logistical support for the implementation of CMAM activities in 960 TFP and 49 mobile health and nutrition teams providing essential emergency health and nutrition services to hard-to-reach populations in Afar and Somali regions.

More over Currently SCI nutrition team is conducting rapid assessment with the objective of identifying staff and OTP/SC capacity gaps and to recommend appropriate measures, so as to improve quality of the emergency response program of our intervention areas.

Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL Save the Children is continuing its response to national emergency situation. As part of this response and to help small holder farmers prepare for this Meher planting season, a total of 16,800 quintals of different varieties of seed was procured and distributed to 76,608 households across all operational areas. Total value of seed is estimated to be USD 3 million and around eight major donors financed this effort. On top of this, to help affected households smooth their consumption, 8,564.45 MT (JEOP HRD is 6,468.5 and JEOP PSNP is 2,095.95) of foods have been distributed to 489,564 (Under JEOP HRD BNF # 381,622 and under JEOP PSNP BNF# 107,942) beneficiaries across 2 regions of Amhara (Norh wollo and Waghimra) and Oromiya ( Arero woreda) in this reporting period. Seasonal forecasts highlights that cooling of Indian ocean will have a high probability in which the2016 Deyr rainfall will likely be below average in southern and southeastern pastoral areas. If this happens then it will likely lead to poorer pasture and water availability which in turn will affect livestock production and productivity. On the other hand performance of Meher rain across Meher dependent areas looks to be very promising and as a result farmers continued to plant their crops. Rain has also helped to improve water and pasture condition for livestock. Despite good performance of Meher rain, target beneficiaries around these areas will continue to receive food aid as the Meher harvest will not be ready before November.

Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) Floods in different parts of the country affected thousands of HHs in July, particularly in lowland areas of the Somali and Afar regions. Partners including SCI are responding to the situation. Further flooding is also anticipated in lowland parts of watersheds where normal to above-normal rains are expected. However, due to stronger rains in most areas of the country, the demand for emergency water provision through trucking is reduced and our efforts have shifted to relevant timely need like increased demand of water treatment chemicals and rehabilitation of schemes affected by flood.

In line with that early warning, mitigation and preparedness measures including scaling up water harvesting, water treatment, sanitation and hygiene promotion, prevention and surveillance of communicable diseases, enhancing other health, hygiene, and nutrition interventions ought to be conducted to promote longer-term access to water and to minimize the likely impacts of flood on lives and livelihoods. Accordingly rehabilitation of water schemes, water quality testing, provision of water purification materials and sanitation and hygiene promotion works were the major activities in our intervention areas.

Education in Emergencies (EiE) Schools are closed thus there were no activities related to water trucking and school feeding. As per the new re-classification of hotspot woredas, food and nutrition security of school children living in 206 woredas across drought affected areas is still compromised. Although water availability at the community level in most areas has improved, its availability in and around schools at reasonable distance will remain a challenge in most schools located in dry areas and school feeding was implemented in previous academic year. Partners support in these areas is expected. There is also expected high enrolment of pre-school children in schools where there is school feeding requires additional resources like classrooms, student uniforms, education and play kits, supplementary books and, teachers.

In addition to these needs, challenges of Schools in the upcoming academic year are:  Most children are living in chronically food insecure areas and they will continue to face critical food shortage at home and expected to go to school hungry.  Risks of dropout and increased absenteeism are high. .  In addition to the food gap, the effect of the drought has depleted the assets of the communities and households , making it difficult for parents to provide school supplies for their children.

Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE) The child protection rapped assessment conducted in the target areas indicated that children in the drought affected areas show symptoms of psychological distress which are manifested through changes in their behavior including unwillingness to go to school, increased aggressiveness and screaming. Migration of children and engagement in increased work responsibilities to support their family to cope with the household need has also been identified by the assessment. Added to that lack of adequate food to the family, loss of property and livelihood, and lack of safe environment for their children are reported to cause increased stress for caregivers, which is affecting the treatment and relation of caregivers with their children.

Save the Children has continued conducting structured resilience building sessions with children in the affected areas to provide them with the necessary skills and help them to get through difficult circumstances. The child resilience programme builds skills linked to behavior and social interaction that are essential to sustain the resilience, protection and wellbeing of children. 2,126highly vulnerable children including orphan children, children in child headed households, and other children living out of parental care (1,500 in Waghimara, 500 in in North Wollo, and 120 in Sitti) have attended the resilience workshops. The approach takes the children through a series of structured life skills workshops, framed to address psychosocial distress caused by the impact of the drought. Children in 20 target schools have also accessed play facilities that enabled them to interact with ther peers and normalized their situation. Training and raising awareness among community members in the vicinity towards child protection issues in times of emergency and strengthening the community capacity to identify and respond for that is part of our CPiE approach. Accordingly, 14,992 (4,180 female) community members have been reached in Waghimra, North Wollo and Sitti zones through awareness raising on child protection issues in times of such drought and other emergency situations and existing services, using community dialogue sessions. Added to that, training packages on various CP topics have been provided to SCI and partner staff so as to augment their programme delivery skills. Hence, 343 (90 female) participants attended trainings which organized by Save the Children field teams

Child Safeguarding (CSG) Child safeguarding is working in the humanitarian response sites of Sitti Zone in Somali region to ensure safe programing is undergoing in each each implementation program. The main focus of the intervention is minimizing risks through creating awareness among staff, partners, and community representatives on safeguarding matters, conduct risk assessment of projects and establish relevant complaint mechanism on child safeguarding cases. To address this approach the following activities has been conducted.

 Amharic and Somali version of code of conduct and handout distributed for 500 club members of child safeguarding at 6 IDP sites of Sitte zone.  Child safeguarding posers displayed at emergency kebele sites.  Child safeguarding complain mechanism identified at Idora site.  Physical risk assessment of projects conducted at Idora and Asbuli sites in relation to WASH and Education construction and the identified risk communicated to the respective unit for improvement.  Child safeguarding committees established at Fedato, Gurgus, Andobeyed and Harkaley sites and a total of 73 committee members received orientations.  Child safeguarding orientation for 23 staff and government partners conducted at Hadigala woreda.

3. Beneficiary Reach

The following presents overall beneficiary information from our 2-year response to the Ethiopian drought.

Key beneficiary statistics

(cumulative)

Children All beneficiaries Number of people affected 5.75 Million 10.2 Million

Number of target beneficiaries 1.4 Million (25%) 2.1 Million (20%) Number of beneficiaries reached in July 200,747 266,916 (since last Situation Report) Total number of direct beneficiaries 1,344,878 2,305,690

The following are the beneficiaries that we reached in July by sector and gender:

Child Total Reach WASH Education Nutrition FSL Protection Total # of Children 200,747 6,484 0 161,132 32,631 500 Reached Total # of Male 98,405 3,266 0 78,727 16,162 250 Children Reached Total # of Female 102,342 3,218 0 82,405 16,469 250 Reached Total # of Adults 66,169 4,179 0 5,932 45,179 10,879 Reached Total # of Male Adults 33,557 2,356 0 2,131 22,434 6,636 Reached Total # of Female 32,612 1,823 0 3,801 22,745 4,243 Adults Reached Total # of beneficiaries 266,916 10,663 0 167,064 77,810 11,379 reached Total # of Male 131,962 5,622 0 80,858 38,596 6,886 beneficiaries reached Total # of Female 134,954 5,041 0 86,206 39,214 4,493 beneficiaries reached

4. Program Output [key contact: [email protected]] Summary of the last Output Tracker

Summary of Response to date and Achievements Somali Region Most parts of Sitti Zone specifically Afdem, Mieso, Erer, Hadigala, Shinile and Dembel Woredas are receiving the Karan rain. The rainfall is expected to continue until the end of September and beginning of October further improving the food security situation of the zone.

Following the improvement of the rainfall situation in most parts of the Sitti zone, the pasture and water availability has significantly improved. As a result, it’s believed that the animal body condition will show significant improvement and increase in milk productivity.

Our main activities by sector in the Somali region during July were:

Nutrition and Health  7,170 under 5 children (3,747 girls) and 1,036 Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) were screened for malnutrition and 505 children with SAM cases (girls 268) were admitted at OTP sites while 19 children with medical complications were treated as an inpatient in the 12 stabilization centres.  3,663 under 5 children (1,862 girls) and 2,617 adults (1,571 females) were treated for various illnesses by mobile health teams in Sitti, Shebelle and Korahey Zones.  1,522 infants (under 1 year) were vaccinated through the mobile health teams (774 of them are girls) with different antigens as per the national routine immunization schedule.  Health education key health topics such as child feeding practice, hygiene and sanitation, immunization, prevention and control of communicable diseases on was provided for 4,706 adults (3,326 females) .

 16 new mother support groups have been established in the five intervention sites to improve IYCF practice of the mothers. While regular mother to mother support group discussions were conducted in the target Kebeles.  389 mothers with SAM children admitted in the OTP and SCs have been counselled on improving the feeding practices of their young children.  120 Health Extension Workers (HEWs) (41 females) from Shinile, Erer, Ayisha, Denbel and Awbare Woredas attended refresher training on CMAM treatment protocol.  15 government staffs in Mieso/Muli and Shinille Woredas were trained on drug supply chain and data management skills.

Food Security and Livelihoods  Four quintals of sorghum and 13 quintals of maize improved seed were distributed to Garadamo and Garawanj villages in Dembel Woreda for 87 households.  530 households (92 females) have received cash for the public works performed in Germam, Aseba and Asbuli villages of Erer Woreda.  187 households have received 10 quintals of sorghum and 19 quintals of maize seed in Qarnaley, Garadamo and Garwanaje Kebeles of Dembel Woreda.  454 households in Aysha, El-lahelay, Biyo Gurgur, Beraq, Delay, Tome, and Harawa Kebeles of Shinile Woreda have received 10 quintals of Haricot, 31 quintals of Maize and 41 quintals of sorghum seed.  30 Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) in Awbare Woreda of Fafen Zone were trained on livestock treatment.  69,235 animals were treated and vaccinated through government-led mass vaccination and treatment campaigns benefitting 6,738 people (1,680 females).  452 households (218 female headed) have received 814 quintals of fodder in Mile and Harawa Kebeles of Shinille Woreda.  Six government staff were trained on voucher based veterinary service in Shinille Woreda.

WASH  96,000 sachets of water purification chemicals were distributed to Holcadoba Kebele , affected by AWD, to treat water at household level. 1,352 strips of aqua tabs were also distributed benefitting 169 households (1,115 people) to six woredas of Shebelle and Korahey Zone .  Environmental sanitation campaign was conducted at Asbuli IDP camp and 910 (355 females) people in attendance. A hygiene and sanitation promotion campaign was conducted in collaboration with woreda water office in Dhareal and Sisal sites for 400 (250 females). Mass hygiene promotion campaign was also conducted at Gadidqate Kebele and 191 people have participated (102 females) .  Additional solid waste disposal pit is constructed at Aydora IDP site. It will benefit 50 families living at the site.  12 water containers with capacity of 5000 litres were distributed to Shinile and Mieso Woredas.  3,000 WASH Kits were distributed for 3,000 households in Kalafo, Mustahil and Fer-fer Woredas of Shabele Zone benefitting 19,800 people affected by the flood in Shebelle zone. Education in Emergencies (EiE)  Water reservoirs were installed at five schools in Ayisha Woreda reaching1,795 school children (691girls)  23 education experts trained on education in emergencies and disaster risk reduction.  The Parents’ day event was colourfully celebrated in 10 selected formal schools in 5 interventions Woredas of Sitti Zone.

Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE)  Consultative meetings on child protection issues were held in Shinile & Erer towns, 67 (21 female) Woreda officials, community representatives and other concerned bodies have attended the

meetings.  Erer and Hadagala Woredas, 126 children (51 girls) without appropriate care were interviewed for pre-test interviews by trained community case workers. Child resilience packages are also being delivered to targeted children.

Afar Region The Hagay Season is a transition period between the Sugum and Karma seasons. High temperatures the absence of rain and dust carrying wind are characteristics of the season in Afar region under normal circumstances. However, there was heavy rain in most parts of Aba’ala woreda of the region. It had damaged two health posts at Abaala district/ Hidamo and Murga Health posts. Some properties of the community at Dallol were also taken by flood. Heavy rain has affected our implementation in the Hadelela area during the reporting month and most of the roads were closed. During July, the following were our major accomplishments in the Afar region:

Nutrition  73 under 5 children with SAM cases were admitted to 50 OTP sites and 101 children, most who entered centres during May or June, were cured and discharged from the intervention Woredas.  1,487 adults were trained on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) health education. Of these, 102 were men care takers, 855 were mothers and 540 were Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLWs).  396 mothers support groups were established and members were trained on IYCF in 11 Woredas.

Food Security and Livelihoods  178 quintals of maize and 32 quintals of mung bean seed was distributed to 1,575 (62 female headed HH) and 645 (33 female headed HH) households in agricultural regions, respectively. A total of1,826 households (95 females) beneficiaries have been reached with seed distribution.  60 cash for work beneficiaries have received third round payment in Dalol Woreda.  72 goats were given for 18 households (4 for each HH).  Animal feeding was provided for 400 households in Dalol Woreda .  480 hand tools have been distributed for NRM & rangeland activities in three targeted kebeles of Chifra weredas .  95 (22 female) Kebele DRR/EW committees were trained on disaster risk reduction and early warning system in ten intervention Kebeles of Chifra & Ewa.  120 (38 female) WASH committee members were trained on hygiene& sanitation.  TOT on Work Ready Now (WRN) initiative was provided for 60 people from Megenta Kebele of Dubti Woreda as well as 30 from Berga and 34 from Hinelle kebeles of Ayssaita woreda. The training was provided by volunteer facilitators. Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) training was also provided for 26 youth in Ayssaita Woreda to those youths who have chosen to engage in self-employment activities.  46 (3 females) youth were trained on electro mechanical, operation and maintenance. The training was organized by MoWIE and Afar Water Resource Bureau with the fund from Save the Children. The training was provided by the trainers from Ethiopian Water Technology Institute.  Youth friendly service training was provided for 36 participants in Yalo & Ewa woredas. Child Protection in Emergencies  22 community workers and supervisors were trained on child resilience. The trainees are expected to cascade the training to targeted school children.  22 community workers and supervisors were also trained on the fundamental concepts of child protection and psychosocial support. 60 households including community leaders have participated on community conversation on HTP (harmful traditional practices) in Anderkelo Kebele. Declaration was developed to protect children who are exposed to FGM (female genital mutilation). 5,000 Ethiopian birr penalty for individuals who practice FGM.

Amhara Region Rainfall in the reporting month created favorable conditions for crop production, which is promising and motivated farmers to plough their farms on time. To date 886 quintals of wheat and 58 quintals of sesame has been distributed for 2,358 & 1,691 beneficiaries respectively and 75,264 hectares of land has been covered with crops seed in Wag Himira, South Wollo and North Wollo Zones.

All Woredas of Waghimra zone except Sehala are continued to receive medium to high amount of rain. However, among the 13 kebeles of Sehala, only 6 Kebeles have received low amount of rain, of which the distribution was poor and uneven. All Woredas of North Wollo (Gidan, Gubalafto, Habru, Raya Kobbo, Wadla, Meket, Lasta, Bugina and Dawunt) have received strong rains.

The availability of water and pasture conditions is showing significant improvements both in North Wollo and Waghimra following the Kiremt rain. On the other hand, the water availability and pasture conditions have not improved in Sehala and Ziquala Woredas due to the dry spell in most parts of Sehala and low coverage of rain in Ziquala woreda.

The following were our emergency response activities in July in the Amhara Region: Nutrition and Health:  10,200 children and PLW were screened for acute malnutrition in the intervention woredas. In North Wollo, 6210 children and 3990 PLW were screened for Malnutrition of which, 265 children were identified as SAM without medical complication and admitted to OTP sites. 124 children were discharged from OTP and 120 (95%) of them recovered while only 4 (3.2%) were defaulter in North Wollo intervention areas. In Wag Himira Zone 121 children were screened among which111 children were referred to OTP sites and 10 to SC sites. In Wag Himra Zone the average cure rate is 84%.  1,210 mothers with children 0-24 month have received IYCF messages.  17 health posts and two health centers were supported through supervision in Sekota and Ziquala Woredas Food Security and Livelihoods  21,429 households in intervention woredas have benefited from Seed support in July. In Gubalafto, Raya Kobo and Abergele Woredas, 15,141 households have received 3,031 quintals of crop seed. 8,134 quintals of different crop seeds were distributed for 28,733 beneficiaries in Wag Himira and North Wollo Zones through different emergency seed support projects and 6,288 beneficiaries have received 2.3 Million Birr cash for seed in North Wollo Zone.  369 quintals of improved wheat seed were also distributed for 968(213 female) beneficiaries. 242 hectare of land of wheat is planted. And 100 quintals of sesame seed were distributed to 3,380 (719 females) beneficiaries in Ziquala Woreda intervention Kebeles. The sesame seed is planted in 1000 hectares of land. 1,360 quintal of wheat seed distributed to 2,988 drought affected households in Wadla and Dawunt Woreda.  10 targeted households in Sekota Woreda and four in Ziquala Woreda have received 69 Bee colonies.  21 government officials were engaged in pre-distribution monitoring activities and market assessment for cash for seed intervention in the first quarter of the project.  2988 project beneficiaries received orientation on beneficiary selection criteria. Emergency Food Distribution  354,439 beneficiaries in Wag Himira and North Wollo zones received 6432.5MT of grain. WASH  281,520 sachets (1,173 boxes) of water purification chemicals were distributed for Gidan, Gubalafto, Habru and Ray Kobo Woredas of North Wollo Zone.

Education in Emergencies

 1,300 seedling pots are ready to be planted in Shimedir and Ekemetrewa primary school compounds in Sekota Woreda. Child Protection in Emergencies  500 vulnerable children and their parents from 20 intervention Kebeles (10 kebele in Raya Kobo and 10 kebeles in Habru Woredas) attended sessions on resilience issues.  20,630 people have received child protection orientation.  4,145 (1378 children, 2,227 females) community members have attended 24 awareness raising events on parenting skills, hazardous child labour, early marriage and child trafficking.  1108 (263 children, 467 females) have attended community conversation sessions 4319(1674 females) community members reached through community conversation.  Orientation on Child resilence was provided for 20 schools in Sekota and Ziquala Woredas. 500(260girls) children were reached on weekly basis.  99 participants (female 26) have attended child protection in emergency training in Raya Kobo and Habru Woredas.  20 child friendly spaces were established in targeted Kebeles.  100 participants (Female, 20) attended psychological first aid (PFA) training in Raya Kobo and Habru Woredas.  40 local service providers were trained in 20 targeted Kebeles of Raya Kobo and Habru Woredas.

Tigray Region There was enough rain coverage with fair distribution through the entire region. Farmers have planted their emergency seeds. The season is very promising and farmers are expecting to have good harvest.

The following were our emergency response activities in July in the Tigray Region:

Nutrition and Health  32,954 under 5 children were screened for malnutrition of which 2,344 were identified as MAM and 83 SAM cases. Similarly there were 990 PLW were found to have malnourshed.  16 health facilities (8 Health Centers and 8 posts) were supported through supportive supervision focused on nutrition, logistics, utilization of drugs, maternal and child health, environmental sanitation and data quality.  303 leaders of Woman Development Groups (WDG) were trained on communicable disease (scabies, AWD ways of transmission and methods of prevention), malnutrition and appropriate infant, young child and children under five feeding modalities.

Food Security and Livelihoods  1,861 quintals of concentrated animal feed were distributed to 1,042 drought affected households (447 female headed) in Raya-alamata, Raya-azebo and Ofla intervention Woredas.  1,480 drought affected households (783 are female headed) in Raya-azebo, Raya-alamata and Ofla weredas have received treatments for their cattle.  121 people have participated (28 females) in review meetings on animal feed distribution, cereal seed distribution and Animal health service in Raya-alamata, Raya-azebo and Ofla Woredas.  63 Health Extension Workers from Ofla and Raya-azebo Woredas were trained on CMAM. Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) The rainfall distribution and amount was normal as compared to the normal year in most areas of the SNNP region. On average, all zones and Woredas have received rain in the previous months and it was sufficient and favourable for agricultural activities, and for livestock. The general situation of the region seems stable in Human and livestock food and health conditions. The rain condition seems good in the region; except Alle Woreda of Segen Zone which has no rain in this last week as previous.

The following were our emergency response activities in July in the SNNPR Region:

NUTRITION  59,360 under five children were screened through CHD at OTP sites and house to house visits in Halaba, Mareko ,Alle and Gibe Woredas. Of these, 248 children were identified as SAM cases and 1542 as MAM cases. 913 children were referred to TSFP in Halaba and Mareko Woredas. Similary, 17,351 PLW women were screened through the interventions and 1,441 PLW were identified as MAM cases in these Woredas. 1,156 PLW were referred to active TSFP by Halaba and Mareko Woredas.  328 children with SAM cases were admitted in OTP programme. 285 children were cured in our four Woredas (Halaba, Gibe, Mareko and Alle).  45 children with SAM cases with medical complication were treated at 19 stabilization centres.  18 health care professionals from Alle and Mareko woredas were trained on intensive SAM case management.  69 OTP and SC centres in Halaba ,Mareko, Alle and Gibe Woredas have received new lookup table and IYCF teaching aid book.  108 OTP and 19 SCs sites were strengthened with technical support, provision supplies and materials in routine base in four SC intervention Woredas.  406 caregivers and PLW were oriented on IYCF key message through one to one counselling and homes visits.  Vitamins A supplementation was provided to 5,406 (2,537 girls) children from age 6-59 months in Halaba Woreda through regular community health day (CHD).  1,296 pregnant mothers received Iron Folate supplementation to prevent anaemia deficiency, reduce associated maternal morbidity and mortality in Halaba Woreda.

Food Security and Livelihoods  12,013 households (all targeted) have been reached through seed distribution in Mareko , Halaba, Sodo and Miskan Woredas.  111 (10 females) Agricultural Development Agents (ADA) were trained on improved farming and agronomic practices for three days in Halaba and Miskan Woredas. ADA will be expected to cascade the training to model famers in their respective sites.

WASH  150 households of OTP beneficiaries received 300 bottles of water guard  Two full sets of hand pumps were provided for Alle woreda water development office for rehabilitation purpose.  120 households at risk of AWD outbreak in rural community of Mareko Woreda have received 7,200 sachets of water purification chemicals.  296 households are receiving access to clean and safe water supply from shallow hand dug well scheme rehabilitation in Mareko (2) and Alle (1) Woredas.  386(188 girls) school children will be benefited from construction of two roof water harvesting structure in Mareko Woreda.

Oromia Region (Bale Zone) We are responding to the drought in the Bale zone of the Oromia region. The overall situation in this month has shown improvement on water availability. The Belg season harvest was good in both the lowland and highland areas, including in our operational woredas.

There is high shortage of cereal foods on market and farmers’ stocks. Despite these problems, in general, the overall situation of the zone in this month was stable.

The following were our emergency response activities in July in the Oromia Region:

Health and Nutrition  74 new SAM cases were admitted to OTP sites. 1,470 MAM cases (860 children under 5 & 610 PLW) were also identified.  1,237 people drawn from targeted woredas were trained on IYCF.  Seven mothers support group were established to promote breast feeding in Dawekachen and Guradamole Woredas.  1,527 individuals were sensitized on AWD prevention and responses.  967 beneficiaries were trained on hygiene and sanitation promotion.  15 committee members were trained on voucher based animal health services.  32 health professionals have been trained on AWD prevention and response at Zonal level.

Food Security and Livelihoods  397 quintals of teff and 30 quintals of wheat seeds were distributed to Sawena Woreda for emergency seed support.  173 flood affected beneficiaries received 346.