Food and Livelihood Security Update – Pastoral Areas The latest update by the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau (DPPB) and Save the Children UK reports a slight improvement in the food security situation in the region due to good performance of the deyr rains, increased demand for livestock exports and ongoing relief food distributions. The terms of trade for pastoralists have improved in all major markets (Jijiga, Fik and Kebridehar) due to increased livestock demand from Gulf countries ahead of the upcoming Muslim holy pilgrimage (Haj). The deyr rains have also significantly replenished water sources in Gode, Afder, Liben, Degehabur and Fik zones, bringing emergency water tankering interventions to an end. In Korahe, Warder and parts of Shinile zones, however, serious water shortages persist.

In Afar, the latest DPPB/Save the Children UK report recommends close monitoring of the food security situation in the region due to the recurrent dry spells and absence of recovery periods between them, which have exhausted the coping strategies of the pastoralist population. Livestock herd sizes, the number of milking animals and productivity have been significantly reduced, especially in terms of cattle. The report further indicates that the terms of trade for pastoralists have not improved due to low livestock prices and increased cereal prices.

A joint Government and NGO rapid assessment conducted in () from 24 to 27 October has found the food and nutritional security of communities in all woredas to be of concern due to the poor performance of the current hagaya rains, coming on top of the previous poor ganna (mid-March to May) harvest. The nutritional situation is particularly serious in Miyo, Dhas, Malkasoda, , Dilla and woredas. Malnutrition was widely observed among adults, as compared to children, who are given priority to meals under Borena traditions. The team recommends close monitoring of the food security situation. For more information contact: [email protected], [email protected], & [email protected]

Nutrition Update CARE reports that food and nutritional security in most parts of East , West Hararghe, and Borena zones (Oromia) and South Gonder zone (Amhara) remains of concern. The failure of the belg rains in early 2009 followed by the late start and early cessation of meher rains negatively affected crop production in the referenced areas. Although the resumption of the meher rains has improved the prospects for late planted crops, and pasture and water availability, their contribution to seasonal crop production is minimal.

The admission of malnourished children under five years to the CARE Out-patient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) sites in East and West Hararghe zones has been increasing. At the end of October, the total number of malnourished children receiving treatment in OTP sites in (Grawa, Kurfachelle, and Haromaya woredas) was 694, while in (, , woredas) was 1,402. In October, CARE distributed a total of 168 cartons of Plumpy’Nut and 3,750 kg of Corn-Soya-Blend (CSB) to 450 severely malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women in Haromaya woreda (East Hararghe zone), with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). In addition, 17 MT of Famix (locally-produced blended food) was distributed to 418 newly admitted children to OTP sites in Chiro, Doba, and Gemechis woredas in West Hararghe.

The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), with support from UNICEF, organized a one-day meeting to discuss progress, challenges and ways forward on the implementation of the Therapeutic Feeding Programme (TFP) roll-out at the kebele level in SNNP, Oromia, Amhara and Tigray. Sixty participants from the FMoH, Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs), CONCERN, GOAL, ACF, CARE, IMC, Samaritan’s Purse, Save the Children US, and UNICEF took part in the meeting. It is hoped that this is the first of a series of retreats that will culminate in a synthesis of lessons learned for the improvement of future national protocols and implementation and training guidelines for TFP roll-out. For more information contact: [email protected] & [email protected]

Transportation Challenges WFP reports it is currently experiencing shortages of trucks due to the increased import of other goods. The situation is expected to continue from mid-November through the end of January 2010 as more imports, such as cement and fertilizer, arrive. During the same period, WFP and other humanitarian organizations are expecting three or more vessels carrying food, raising concern that food distributions could be delayed. DRMFSS notes the Government's support for maintaining the prioritization of food aid over other imports and reports that issues related to uplift from the port should be discussed at the weekly meeting on port operations, which is chaired by the Maritime Affairs Authority and attended by DRMFSS, WFP and NGO Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP) representatives. WFP also continues to use alternative ports, including Berbera (Somalia/Somaliland) and Port Sudan (Sudan) to ease the congestion. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp & [email protected]

Acute Watery Diarrhoea Update New cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) continue to be reported in Afar Region, particularly in Amibara, Buremudaitu and Gewane woredas, where there are commercial farms hosting day labourers from all over the country. A monitoring team led by the Regional Investment Bureau, comprising the Regional Water Bureau, RHB, WHO and UNICEF, conducted an assessment at the farms between 4 to 8 November to check on implementation of the action plan prepared in October. The team noted some improvements in water and sanitation conditions on the farms. In response to the renewed AWD outbreak, the team provided technical support in case management in case treatment centers established in the farms. The woreda health and water bureaus and CARE distributed UNICEF supplied items including water treatment chemicals, soaps and jerry cans. For more information contact: [email protected] & [email protected]

Meher Assessment Preparations for Government-led meher assessment are underway. The assessment is scheduled to commence on 23 November in meher-crop producing areas and Afar, while it starts on 30 November in other pastoralist areas. The assessment will be used to verify the projections based on the mid-meher seasonal assessment conducted between 28 September and 13 October 2009. For more information contact: [email protected]