Childfund Ethiopia Humanitarian Situation Report # 24-February'18

ChildFund Ethiopia Humanitarian Situation Report # 24-February’18-March’18

Country Situation Highlights

Humanitarian Situation Overview:

The multi-agency Meher assessment conducted at the end of 2017 involved the participation of over 200 dedicated staff from government and humanitarian partners, and has revealed that due to continued vulnerability, some 7.88 million Ethiopians will need relief food or cash assistance in south and southeastern Ethiopia, and in pocket areas throughout the Country.

The humanitarian impact of recurrent drought crises in Ethiopia leads to highly predictable patterns of acute needs. While this presents a huge challenge to Government and its partners, it also presents an opportunity to make targeted interventions to reduce current and future needs and reduce the costs involved in addressing them through predictable means.

The 2018 Humanitarian and Disaster Resilience Plan (HDRP), a first step towards the development of a multi-year planning framework: Moving away from years of isolated short-term response in a context of mostly predictable humanitarian needs, the 2018 Humanitarian Requirement Document (HRD), now newly named the Humanitarian and Disaster Resilience Plan (HDRP), represents a first step towards the development of a multi-year planning framework that will seek to increase the quality and predictability of delivery, and mitigate future needs.

The HDRP is informed by lessons from the past few years, as well as discussions between development and humanitarian partners with Government on how to improve analysis, planning, financing and delivery modalities.

Internally Displaced People (IDPs):

Conflict was reported as the primary driver of displacement (1,216,793 IDPs), followed by displacement due to climate induced factors (494,356 IDPs), and people displaced by other factors (32,440 IDPs).

In addition to climate-driven needs, there are also more than one million conflict-induced Internally Displaced People (IDPs, many of whom need relief and recovery/resettlement assistance. While efforts to address the drivers of this displacement are underway, Government is rolling out ambitious plans for the voluntary return resettlement or relocation of these communities; humanitarian and development partners are engaged, to support the implementation of durable solutions in a principled manner, and to avoid the situation becoming unnecessarily protracted.

The key Humanitarian issues:

 Continuing acute food insecurity, malnutrition and water shortages in lowland mostly pastoral areas, likely to be exacerbated by the impact of La Nina on spring rains;  Conflict –driven displacement;  Continued risk of life-threatening disease outbreaks;  Acute food insecurity in highland areas;  Protection concerns due to drought and conflict.

Key Messages from 2018 HDRP:

 US$ 1.66 billion required to address humanitarian needs for 2018;  Urgent funding requirement needed in other critical sectors;  The 2018 HDRP, a first step towards the development of a multi-year planning framework;  Late funding has human and economic implications

ChildFund Response:

Integrated Emergency Response

An integrated emergency response on food, and water, sanitation and hygiene project in Siraro district, West Arsi Zone of Oromia region with funding from ChildFund Korea contributed towards the reduction of mortality and morbidity among drought affected people (including children under five, PLW and the elderly). The total beneficiaries of the project were 38,900 (19,809 female and 19,091 male).

Due to insecurity incidences in the operational area, the project got a three months no-cost extension (NCE). The project ended on April 30, 2018.

Key highlights:

 138 teachers and health extension workers (61female and 77 Male) were trained on safe water chain, proper utilization, hand washing, food hygiene and other WASH activities. The training was facilitated by health professionals at Rophi-Siraro health center.  A total of 2,317 students, teachers, parents and health extension workers (2,097 female and 1,120 male) participated in WASH school campaign in 10 schools.  A total of 17 (10 female and 7 male) management committee members from 9 ECD centers participated in review meetings.  A team comprised of Oromia Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, Water, Mineral and Energy and Health Bureau in the presence of Siraro Children and Family Development Association (CFDA) staff conducted the project final evaluation on ChildFund Korea funded integrated emergency response on food, and water, sanitation and hygiene project.  A five km pipe line extension was done on the previously constructed water supply by constructing one public fountain for community and one water point for ECD center in Damine-leman kebele.

Emergency WASH Response

The six month’s (Oct’17-March’18) project financed by IRC/ECHO was planned to support drought affected populations of Boset and Fentale districts of East Shoa Zone of Oromia Regional state through Emergency WASH Interventions; rehabilitation and expansion of water sources and systems. The project targeted 24,564 as beneficiaries in the two districts; 18,353 people (6,882 Female and 11,471 Male) in Boset and 6,211(2,560 Female and 3,651 Male) in Fentale. The project is financed by IRC/ECHO under the Emergency Response Mechanism (ERM) IV in Ethiopia. The project also got a NCE and is due to close in early May. The following are some achievements:

1. Rehabilitation and expansion water schemes

 Four 20M3 fiber glass water tankers purchased and installed on new constructed elevated water tanker stand in two kebeles of Boset district and two kebeles of Fentale District.  A 20 KVA generator of purchased, successfully installed and tested in Dire Degaga water supply scheme.  2200m pipeline expansion from Kechachule kebele to Sara Areda kebele with two public fountains constructed with its fencing and now serving the beneficiary community.  Submersible pump purchased, installed and tested and the installation is successful and commenced pumping water.  Rehabilitation of pipeline and public fountain finalized in three kebeles of Boset district.

2. Distribution of WTC (Aqua Tabs) and Water Containers (Jerry Cans)  A total of 604, 680 water purifying chemical (Aqua tabs) purchased and distributed to 24,564 people translating to 5,039 households in the two districts in one round to be used for 60 days. Additional 1,814,040 aqua tabs purchased and transported to Fentale district for eight non-project kebeles.  A total of 10,078 water Jerry-cans (20 liter) procured and distributed to 5,039 households; two for each household.

3. Capacity building training for WASHCOs  Three-day WASHCOMs trainings provided for 63 participants (24F and 39 M); 49 WASH management committee members and 14 operators from the two districts (36 from Fentale and 27 from Boset).

4. Distribution of IEC materials  IEC materials (4000 leaflets, 400 T-shirts, 5 signage, 5 banners and different size stickers) produced and distributed to target five kebeles; three in Boset and two in Fentale.

5. Hygiene and Sanitation Promotion  A total of 300 health development army leaders in the five Kebeles (2 from Fentale and 3 from Boset Districts), attended three sessions on hygiene and sanitation promotion; two of the sessions focused on Critical Times of Hand Washing, Water Chain Management and Safe Disposal of Excreta and the last session was about home to home visit by selecting model HHs in order to share best practices.

Issues/challenges encountered the IRC/ECHO financed Emergency WASH project

 Cost escalation of construction materials, labor and electromechanical equipment due to devaluation of Birr necessitating project revision.  The volatile security situation in the target districts inducing fear of contractors to participate in bids issued for rehabilitation works and electromechanical equipment transportation and installation.  Protracted time in obtaining waiver for procurement of emergency treatment units for sole manufacturer from the donor.  After having an award offered, a contract agreement signed and site handed over, the contractor for Fentale District refused to commence operations raising price escalation as an excuse; negotiations are underway along for exploration of alternatives.  Unavailability of electromechanical equipment and other construction materials in the market following the devaluation of Birr.

Pictures of WASH project

Installed Roto with new elevated water tanker stand at Dire Degaga and Hurufa Kurkufa Kebeles

Installed and tested 20KVA generator-Dire Degaga kebele Installed and tested 15KW submersible pump for Hurufa kurkufa

Two public fountains of Sara Areda Kebele water supply

Demonstration & distribution of Aqua tabs & Jerri-can

WASH Committe members and operator training

Discussion with community representatives about the outcome of the project Signage erected at Dire Dagaga kebele, Boset district

CMAM Response

Emergency nutrition intervention program through Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) was implemented in Dodota and Ziway-dugda districts, Arsi Zone of Oromia region with funding from UNOCHA. All the planned activities implemented in consultation and coordination with government counterparts at regional, zonal and district levels as well in compliance with government and donor requirements.

ChildFund strengthened Outpatient Therapeutic Programs (OTPs) and Stabilization Centers (SCs) at Health Post level through provision of technical and logistics support as well built capacity of health professionals (health extension workers and health workers) through providing trainings on Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderately Acute Malnutrition (MAM) case management at inpatient and outpatient levels. Health education and awareness creation on proper utilization of locally available food stuffs, personal hygiene, preventing diarrheal disease, sanitation, immunization, ante-natal care (ANC) and family planning sessions/services, and the provision of NFIs improved the nutritional status of children under the five years of age and PLW.

The project ends in mid-May’18.

Mid-Term Review and Reflection Meeting: Dodota Project area

A total of 44 participants drawn from key stakeholders zonal offices Health, Disaster Rik Management, and Planning, Economic Development Commision from woreda sector offices, Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU)directors and Outpatient Therapeutic Programs/ Stabilization Centers focal person, health extension workers and project staff participated in the two days mid-term review and reflection meetings. The meeting looked at the achievements, challenges and lessons learned.

Screening of under five children and Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW): Dodota  1,083 under five children identified with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) cases;  348 PLW identified as MAM by routine screening

Outpatient Therapeutic Program/Stabilization Center (OTP/SC)

 A total of 16 health extension workers (HEWs) received on- job training though project OTP/SC mentor on OTP protocol;  A total of 12 HEWs received technical support from the OTP/SC mentor.

Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) through OTP Services:  A total of 79 under-five children identified with SAM and admitted at OTP services for malnutrition treatment of which 73 are cured and discharged from the program;  No child defaulted in this reporting period;  3 under-five children whose status did not improve at OTP were transferred to SC services;  A total of 12 health extension workers received technical support by OTP/SC mentor.

Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) through SC services: A total of 7 under-five children (3 female and 4 male) were admitted at SC services for treatment and discharged after the healing.

IYCF Food Demonstration: A total of 1,295 community members participated in IYCF food demonstration sessions and received health information on nutrition education, exclusive breast feeding, personal hygiene and environmental sanitation.

Transportation of Non-Food Items /Supplies (Plumpy-net, RUTF, F-75 & F-100)

Logistics support provided for Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Health Offices to transport non-food items, such as Plumpy-net, Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic Food (RUTF), F-75 and F-100 milk, expanded program of immunization (EPI) vaccines and stationary materials from zonal office to district offices as well from district offices to facility levels.

Pictures of CMAM Project:

Screening of under-five children

Health Education during IYCF food demonstration IYCF food preparation demonstration

Mothers and Children served Food after IYCF demonstration CSB++ ready to be transported to health facilities

Challenges:

 Due to the security threat the CMAM team could not visit all the project sites in the districts;  Some health posts like K-degaga did not implement the OTP program due to security problem;  Two health posts namely Dilfekar and Awash bishola sites were closed during CMAM project team visit, and the health posts were closed due to fear of the on and off of security incidence ;  Absence of HEWs in health facilities during regular visits by CMAM project staff affected the transfer of technical support impacting negatively the efforts on nutritional status improvement;  The mobilization of both HEWs and health center service providers for trachoma outbreak campaign for two weeks affected the CMAM team plans for conducting regular follow ups and technical support to the facilities. As such the OTP service was not fully functional and also routine screening of malnourished children was affected.

Funding Update

The Ethiopia Humanitarian and Disaster Resilience Plan (HRDP) for 2018 seeks US$1.66 billion to reach 7.88 million people with emergency food and non-food assistance, mainly in the Southern and south-eastern parts of the Country.

The 2018 HDRP also presents prioritized plans in water and sanitation (WaSH), agriculture, nutrition, education, protection and shelter and non-food items in the affected areas. Out of the $ 1.6 billion sought for the 2018 response, $ 1.036 billion is required for relief food, $ 198.3 million for nutrition, $ 99 million for WaSH needs, and $ 94.9 million for shelter and other materials assistance for the displaced.

Following the release of the new HRDP, and based on the prolonged response mounted by the CO since 2015, the CO is now revising its emergency response strategy to focus on resilience building and recovery. The CO will have a clear picture on the needs both in current areas of operations and corresponding financial requirements. The revised strategy is due for finalization in May’18. Below is the status of funding since the commencement of emergency response to date.

Source of funds Amount(USD) Balance (USD) ChildFund International –Appeal fund and Match 0 265,000 to UNICEF Grant ChildFund Australia 111,851 0 ChildFund Deutschland 50,000 0 Barnfonden 10,000 0 ChildFund France 31,860 0 ChildFund New Zealand 10,000 0 ChildFund Korea including for IDPs 149,964 0 Ireland emergency donation 1,215 0 Private donor(First Green Foundation ) 84,000 0 Taiwan Fund for children and families 10,000 0 Redirected from closed project balance – 0 2,645 Barnfonden ChildFund Korea (Crowdfunding ) 41,545 0 Integrated Emergency response on Food, and 0 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene project in Siraro 250,000 woreda - ChildFund Korea 10,669 Boset, Fentale and Merti supplementary food -IO 70,000

Ziway Dugda and Dododa wored Nutrition Intervention through Community based 70,000 37,379.29 management of acute malnutrition (CMAM)”-IO

Total Fund 1,158,080 48,048.00 Total need 5,055,232 Gap $3,897,152

Funds received from other sources

Source of funds Amount(USD) Balance

CMAM I- Fentale- UNOCHA 102,066 0 Strengthening Community-Based Child 300,000 0 Protection in Drought-Affected Oromia Region – UNICEF Fentale and Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha 466,980 0 emergency response WASH Project – IRC WASH project in Boset and Adama districts 809,180 0 (UNOCHA) Fentale CMAM Project(UNOCHA) – follow on 97,374 0

project Strengthening Community-Based Child 300,000 0 Protection in Drought-Affected SNNP Region – UNICEF Fentale,Boset and Merti woreda CMAM Project 306,671 27,289.00 (UNOCHA) – Ziway Dugda and Dododa wored Nutrition 154,624 61,927.00 Intervention through Community based

management of acute malnutrition (CMAM)- UNOCHA Support drought affected populations of Boset 405,937 228,382.00 and Fentale woredas through Emergency WASH Interventions- IRC/ECHO Total 2,942,832 317,598.00

Prospects

The CO is in discussion with ChildFund-Korea to support program focusing on recovery and resilience building in one of the most affected districts where the integrated emergency response project response was implemented. The CO has commenced working on the requisite proposal of USD500K for 24 months.

Due to the prolonged nature of the humanitarian situation in the country, institutional funding opportunities are nearly none existent. However, the Country Office has continued to participate and engage in different forums, clusters and technical working group meetings. Maintaining and regularly participating in Emergency nutrition and emergency WASH coordination meetings are advisable for the organization to share updates, challenges and solutions on humanitarian situations in the Country as well as development of response plans, reduce duplication of efforts, and pooling resources.

Coordination

ChildFund and its local partners, work closely with the local government structures in the stated districts and regions. We also work in collaboration with NRDMC at federal level, WFP, UNOCHA, UNICEF and international and local Non-Governmental Organizations.

ChildFund is an active member of HINGO (Humanitarian International NGOs) and EHF/UNOCH board meeting, Nutrition, Health, WASH, Education clusters and Emergency communication group where members share information and coordinate humanitarian response.

ChildFund’s request to be a member of Ethiopia Cash Working Group (ECWG) was accepted by the Cash Cluster and ChildFund is now included in mailing list for all future correspondences and updates.

Revised Strategy With support from EMU (IO), the Country Office has commenced developing a two year new emergency response strategy focusing on recovery and resilience-building for ChildFund operational areas.