Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

FH – , DISASTER RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM (DRRP) DEPARTMENT

In the Quarter: Impact of El Nino has resulted in water stress in a substantial scale in the lowlands of South and Wag Humra zones, causing a number of water sources to dry earlier than normal times According to the Central Statistics Agency of Ethiopia; Ethiopian inflation rate had peaked to 11.9 percent as compared to last year in 1. SummarySeptember from 11.6 percent, because of a rise in food items. Food price inflation had peaked from 1.114.7 General percent Overview a month ago to 16.1 percent, Theaccording early warning to the Agency.report of Oct the 7, quarter 2015 (July - September 2015) is summarized based on reports from currently ongoing FHE project areas of Amhara, SNNP, Oromia, and Benishangul Gumuz Regional States; and from the articles and bulletins of FEWS NET, Food Security updates, etc… The aim of preparing this report is to update partners on the prevailing food security situation at FHE intervention areas and give alert for preparedness and possible responses required. The report briefly includes the weather condition, market performances, health and nutrition and food security situation within the quarter (July - September 2015).

COMPILED BY DISASTER RISK 1.2 Major Highlights towardsREDUCTION the end of July 2015,PROGRAM which forced In normal crop production years, the meher farmers to plantDEPARTMENT crops beyond the planting rain usually starts at the beginning of June season. Accordingly, the amount and that enables farmers to start planting meher distribution of rainfall had been much below crops timely and it continues up to the normal within most of the project area month of October for the normal maturity of woredas in the reporting period except Belo, crops. But, in the current year, the meher JULY–SEPTEMBER 2015 season rain started being very much late ADDIS ABABA0

Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

Sasiga and Diga woredas. As the result of On average 27% of the relief number is this: from PSNP caseload. The performance of rains had been much Also the shortage of meher rainfall in these below normal in FH/ORDA operational areas resulted in drinking water shortage for areas of , Zeway/ATJK humans as well as livestock, which is more woreda and Halaba woreda, due to the El aggravated at , ATJK, and Nino effect. As the result of this, much Sekota woredas in the reporting period. The below normal crop production is expected water shortage will be more aggravated in from meher season production in these the next quarters dry periods within these areas. Due to this reason, it is expected that project area woredas, especially, in Tach the number of food insecure people will be Gayint, Sekota, Gazgibla, , and Increasing in the next quarters. At the end of Zeway/ATJK woredas. the reporting period (in the month of Moreover, this water and feed shortage will September) the number of beneficiaries result in deterioration of livestock body under FHE emergency/JEOP support has condition in the next quarters as the dryness increased from 51,406 people, (which was in increases with high temperature in most of July), to 270,064 people in September in six the project areas except Belo, Sasiga and woredas of Amhara Regional state. Diga districts.

The following narrative is a need story produced by FH communication unit stressing

on water shortage at Tach Gaint Woreda

How long you wait for 20 liters of water? original price. Crops did not perform well due “Except few days of shower we had no rain to insufficient rainfall even it did not grow since last April, 2015 (both short and main rainy seasons). All small rivers dried up and the amount of water from this spring is decreasing every day. Today is my sixth day till my turn out to fill my 20 liters Jeri can.”, said Ms. Melkam Kefe, 27, a mother of three children and resident of Endawa village, Kebele 10, Tach Gayint district of Amhara region. As the result of El Nino phenomenon, small and medium rivers dried up in three kebeles of Tach Gayint district of Amhara region. Nearly 20, 000 residents of these kebeles and their animals are suffering of water shortage. Mr. Amare Belete, Kebele 10 Agriculture Office Representative enough to be animal feed for some months. said that this is the highest drought in the last 20 Water and food shortage in the three Kebeles are year in our area. Water stress is very serious and manifested their ugly faces in the form of farmers are losing their animals either animals malnutrition on children, pregnant and lactating are dying or selling them with 25% of their 1

Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015) mothers, scabies and girls stay away from just started till now we are using our stock from schools in search of water from distant places. government central store. Shortly we will run Tiruset Sisay, 15, a resident of Gedoda village, out of supplementary food stock unless replenish Kebele 9 of Tach Gayint, said “During last rainy them soon.” months we had no rain we supposed to get The health Extension Coordinator, Tach Gayint regularly starting June and this spring is getting District Health Office said, “Out of 16 kebeles dry. If this springs totally dry, I have to walk 5-6 found in the district, three kebeles are affected hours one way to Beshilo River to fetch water. seriously by the rain shortage. In these three Even today I will be late to go to school because kebeles there are nearly 20, 000 people. These I was waiting my turn for hours to fill my 20 people and their animals are suffering from liters Jerican. water shortage. According to our assessment Gedoda Health Center Head, said that as a direct result of the drought effects, transporting water result of water and food shortage, malnutrition and distributing to villagers is urgent solution.” on children under five years old, pregnant and FH Tach Gayint Project Manager said that lactating mother and scabies on children and generally, low lands of the woreda are suffering adults were observed. He added “While we from rain shortage. He added, “Almost all crops made house to house visit we screened 90 under failed, and springs and rivers are dried. Before five years old children and we gave them for life is lost we must establish water distribution supplementary food since mid-September 2015. centers in each village and transport water by In addition to that we are treating scabies for trucks from where it is available.” children and adults. The effect of the drought

2. General conditions in the project area districts

2.1 Amhara Region

2.1.1 Tach Gayint District: Weather: As indicated in the following table and graph, Tach Gayint woreda received 111mm of rainfall within the first decade of August 2015, which was above normal, even though it doesn’t cover all kebeles of the woreda. There were kebeles which did not receive even the minimum amount of rain within this decade. As the result of this, the kebeles that didn’t receive rainfall have been experiencing serious water shortage for crop and livestock. Due to the drought, hundreds of livestock have died and left some households with no livestock. In addition to this, huge hectares of cropped farmland composed of different types of crop were damaged even if the percentage of damage varied from one crop type to other.

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

Table1: The amount of rainfall in mm per decade, within the reporting period in Tach Gayint

Actual rainfall performance of Tach Gayint from July 2015 Decade 1 to September, 2015 decade 3 s/n Months July 2015 Actual RF amount in August2013 Actual RF amount in September 2013 Actual RF (mm) (mm) amount in (mm) Decade 1 Decade 2 Decade 3 Decade 1 Decade 2 Decade 3 Decade 1 Decade 2 Decade 3 1 7.5 63.7 45 111 47.7 46.8 43.2 40.2 0 Cumulative graph 2015 July decade 1 to 2015 September decade 2

Rain (dataset RFE2) for area AMHARA ~ SOUTH GONDER ~ TACH GAYINT January decade 1, 2015 To December decade 3, 2015 110 100 90 80 70 Mm60 50 40 30 20 10 0 J1 J2 J3 F1 F2 F3 M1 M2 M3 A1 A2 A3 M1 M2 M3 J1 J2 J3 J1 J2 J3 A1 A2 A3 S1 S2 S3 O1 O2 O3 N1 N2 N3 D1 D2 D3 Source: Livelihood, Early Assessment and DecadesProtection/LEAP in the year

Rain Actual Data Rain Normal Data The performance of major crops within the current quarter is below normal as developmental stage of those crops is not as expected. There are several factors that contributed for the poor performance of the crops on the farm field during this reporting period. These are:

 Late onset and erratic distribution of the meher rainfall,  The delay in planting period due to waiting for the meher rain and early cessation of the rain, The performance of chick pea is relatively better at some kebeles. The crop has resisted the moisture stress while teff has failed to withstand the extreme drought condition and, as a result, wilted and aborted (see the following picture).

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

Table 2: Crop growth stage byCrop agro performance-ecological at zone Tach, TachGayint Gyint

Type of Agro- ecological Developmental stage Crop achievement as major crops zone compared to the normal years( equal, below/above)

Wheat and Dega Fruiting stage Below barley Bean & Pea Dega Flowering stage Below

Teff, wheat Dega Woina dega Growing stage Below & Zangada Barley Woina Dega Fruiting stage Below

Bean & Pea Woina Dega Flowering Below stage Sorghum Kolla Growing stage Below

Chick Pea Kolla Growing Normal stage Teff Kolla Flowering stage Below

Source: T/Gayint Woreda ARDO

Among fifteen kebeles of the district, three of them (namely 9, 10, and 11) are severely affected and no production is expected due to the failure of rain. At the same time, other five additional kebeles are also found to be moderately affected by the shortage of rain. Teff which was planted on about two hectare in dry times in kebele-10 (locally known as Endewa village) is totally

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

damaged due to shortage of rain. The number of households whose crop has been affected by the extreme weather condition is 362 (14 female headed households).

Table 3: Types of crops, area of damage and extent of damage on crops in percentage, Tach Gayint

Damage Damage Dam d Crop Occur Type of Types of NO d crops aged amount growing rence KAs crops disaster in ha % of yield stage date in qt

1 Maize drought .75 85 - growth - 10

2 Sorghum drought 99.5 100 - growth 10

3 Teff drought 2 100 - germination - 10

4 Barley drought 12.45 100 - growth 10

Haricot Drought & 10 & 5 106.75 100 - growth bean hail storm 11

6 Pea drought 1 85 - growth 10

Market Price

As indicated in the following table, the price of barley has been consistently decreasing starting from the month of July 2015 due to the low demand for this crop at the local market while the market prices of both wheat and teff remained constant.

The market prices of all types of the livestock continuously increased within the reporting period due to high demand of traders for public holidays celebrations of the New Year.

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

Table 4: Average prices of both commodities and Livestock Types of Average Price in birr per quintal for crops crops/animals and per head for animals July August September

Barely 963 928 910

Wheat 1116 1118 1116

Teff 1426 1426 1426

Ox 4598 4658 4693

Cow 4240 4332 4353

Sheep 546 633 720

Goat 630 676 710

Human health The woreda health office has been conducting vaccination campaign for children under five in all kebeles in the reporting period. The total number of children benefited from the health care service is 4050 as indicated in the following table.

Table 5: Summary of vaccinated children in the woreda, Tach Gayint

S/n Description Category of community No. of beneficiaries

1 TT Vaccination - - 2 TT2+ Vaccination - - 3 PVC10 Children 1348 4 BCG Children 685 5 Penta 1 Children 666 6 Penta 3 Children 682 7 Measles Children 669 Total 4050 Source: - T/Gayint Woreda Health Office

On the other hand, the number of children admitted to health centre with SAM cases has significantly increased in September. The total number of the cases is 104, which exceeds 40.5% of the number of cases in the month of August. Generally, the overall food security situation of the woreda is deteriorating; and would eventually lead to crisis if it is not halted by immediate responses. 4

Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

Animal health: There wasn’t animal disease outbreak that took place in the woreda during the reporting period. However, there were many livestock death reported due to lack of feed in the month of August. The total numbers of animals died were 1155 (of which 975, 145 and 35 were shoats, cattle and pack animals) respectively.

G. Water Status: There was water shortage which happened since July in three kebeles (namely Endewa, Diyo betach and Gedoda) of the woreda. In those kebeles, both human and animals have severely been suffering starting from July 2015. The sample picture at the left shows a girl trying to collect water from a spring, which is already drying. Following the shortage of water, many households lost their livestock; and there has been water related human disease during the reporting period.

Simada District

As indicated in the following graph, the rainfall had been below normal in the first and third decade of July and second decade of August while the rainfall moisture was crucial in this period for crop growth and normal farming activities. Although the graph indicates that the rainfall in the second decade of July and first decade of August is above normal, the distribution was not uniform to all kebeles in the woreda. The rain stopped prematurely in the last decade of September as opposed to the expectation to get some rains in the range of 15-20mm in normal years.

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

Rain (dataset RFE2) for area AMHARA ~ SOUTH GONDER ~ SIMADA January decade 1, 2015 To December decade 3, 2015 100 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 Mm55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 J1 J2 J3 F1 F2 F3 M1 M2 M3 A1 A2 A3 M1 M2 M3 J1 J2 J3 J1 J2 J3 A1 A2 A3 S1 S2 S3 O1 O2 O3 N1 N2 N3 D1 D2 D3 Decades in the year

Rain Actual Data Rain Normal Data

The performance and developmental stage of all crops on the farm field is below normal due to shortage of rainfall in the area, especially when enough moisture was crucial. Moreover, hailstorm and flood affected 37,614.75 hectares of crops land within Simada woreda in the months of July and August in dega and woina dega zones of the woreda. Furthermore in kolla agro-ecological zones, the total area of cropped farmland seriously affected by drought was 83,294 hectares.

Apart from crop performance, there was serious livestock feed shortage particularly in seven kebeles of the woreda (13, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 40) in August which resulted in the deaths of 99 livestock (43, 19, 29 and 8 are cow; sheep; goat; and donkey and horse respectively). Also due to dried water sources at closer vicinities to the communities, livestock as well as people are forced to travel long distance to collect water from rivers located far away.

Market price: The market price of barley showed increasing trend in the months of August and September, due to high demand for the crop for local beverages. Likewise the market prices of small ruminants showed increasing trend due to high demand by the traders transporting for the public holidays to other towns.

Health: The woreda health office has been conducting different types of vaccinations campaigns in all kebeles of the woreda for children whose age is under five. Accordingly, 13019 children have been benefited from the vaccination services provided within the reporting period. 2.1.2 North Wollo and Waghmira Zones According to the quarter reports received from the project areas, the information is summarized as follows.

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

Lasta District

Weather: According to the project report, the growth and development of meher crops like beans, teff and lentil had been below normal as compared to the normal years due to delay in and shortage of meher season rainfall in the kola kebeles. Similarly due to early cessation of the rainfall, crops (sorghum by stock borer, while teff crops by blight), were attacked by pests. Moreover, the volume of rivers and springs is reducing, which is expected to cause shortage of drinking water for the next quarter and beyond.

Crop performance: The performance of the meher season crops at Lasta woreda within the reporting season is below normal because of its late onset and early cessation especially at kola areas of the woreda. Moreover, the body condition of livestock has been deteriorated within the reporting quarter due to shortage of feed.

Market price: According to the project report, the price changes on cereals is not significant while the prices of small ruminants showed increasing trend due to high demand by traders for the New year public holiday celebrations.

Health and Nutrition: In the reporting period, 362 pregnant and lactating mothers, and 13624 children’s have got vaccination on vitamin A supplementation

Bugna District

Weather: In normal years, the meher season rain starts from June 15 to June 30, but in the reporting period it started on August 02, 2015. As a result of delay in rainfall, crops are found at flowering stage while the rain already stopped at the beginning of September 2015.

Crop performance: Because of different reasons (delay of rain fall at the beginning, early cessation and hailstorms hazards) the performance of crops is very poor, which will end up in low amount of crop production and consequently causing food shortages in the future periods for the people living in the woreda. Some detail information regarding the situation is stated as follows.

 In 8 kebeles, 1790.35 ha of different crops were affected by moisture shortage due to late onset and early cessation of rainfall; 1292.9 ha of different crops have been affected due to hailstorms and flooding.  From the total affected area of 3083.25 ha, 1150.75 ha has been damaged 100% while 811.25 ha of land has been replanted by chick pea and teff in the reporting period.  As indicated in the following pictures, no production is expected in 5 kebeles (Zeblo, Kob, Birkuakua, Lay diba and Daria) except as a livestock fodder.

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

teff and sorghum affected by rain shortage

 The livestock body condition has shown significant deterioration in the reporting period and it is below normal as compared to the previous normal years due to shortage of feed.

 The availability of water for human as well as livestock drinking is decreasing and had been below normal, especially in Kebeles named Zeblo, Kob, Birkuakua, Laydiba and Daria.

Market price: The market prices of teff and livestock showed increasing trend within the reporting period in the woreda. The teff demand increased because farmers were purchasing teff seed for replanting on the damaged plots by drought in addition to the consumption demand. The livestock prices increased due to increased demand by traders due to the New Year public holiday’s celebrations.

Dhana District

Weather condition: Acording to the project report, the meher rain started late and its distribution was uneven within woreda kebeles. In total 7262.33 ha of land has been affected by moisture stress (drought), hailstorm and flood damages in the reporting quarter. Crop performance: The crop performance has been below normal due to shortage and uneven distribution of rain and due to occurrences of hailstorm and flood hazards. Due to these reasons,

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015) low production is expected from the meher harvest and food shortage is expected to continue in the woreda in the next quarters. Moreover, the livestock faced shortages of fodder in the reporting period due to the reason of shortage and uneven distribution of rainfall. Market price: The price of barley showed increasing trend due to increased demand for beverages while the livestock prices decreased due to the deteriorated body condition, which was resulted from feed shortages. The woreda did not attract much traders unlike North Wollo and South Gondar woredas that resulted in low demand.

Health: According to the project report from Dhana woreda, 285 children received vitamin A supplementation from the woreda health office within the reporting period.

Sekota District

Weather: According to the project report, the rainfall condition was much below normal within the woreda in the reporting period.

Crop performance: The performance of the crops has been poor and below normal due to the shortage of moisture in the reporting period.

Market price: the market price of barley showed increasing trend in the reporting quarter due to increased demand for beverages while the increase on other crops was not significant.

Nutrition: As indicated in the following table, the number of malnourished children (OTP cases) at the end of the quarter has increased by 28.71% as compared to that of the beginning of the quarter. This is due to deterioration of food stock with the people in the area. Because of this reason, the number of general ration beneficiaries, which was 27,806 in the month of August has increased to 110,405 (297% increase) as of the month of September 2015.

Table 6: Nutrition Component OTP and SC Monthly Report (September), Sekota

S/N TFP, SC and Stabilization Center OTP data Remark OTP (SC) in 2015 in 2015 September September 1 Total at the 1 411 beginning 2 New admission 21 271 3 Discharge 14 153 4 End of the month 7 529 Gazgibla District Weather: The weather condition of the woreda in the reporting period was not favorable for agricultural activities due to shortage of rain fall in the meher season. 9

Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

Crop performance: According to the project report, the performances of crops at all kebeles had been poor and below normal in the reporting quarter, which shows 85% and above damage within 14 kebeles while within 5 kebeles crops have been affected 65% and above.

In order to support the affected farmers, the woreda government distributed 286 qt of chick pea in three rounds as a replacement seed.

Water: During the reporting period, the level of ground water has highly decreased; irrigation schemes and springs have decreased comparing from the normal year during this period. Therefore, shortage of drinking water for human being as well as livestock, decrease in irrigated land, shortage of animal feed as well as food for human consumption are expected to exacerbate in the coming quarters. People living at lowland area faced shortage of drinking water more seriously than the highlands in the reporting period. Also it is predicted that human and livestock water shortage will be critical in the coming dry period.

Market prices: The grain market prices remained same in the reporting period while the livestock prices showed decreasing trends due low demand by traders due to their deteriorated body conditions. Human health: According to the information from woreda health office, Scabies (skin disease) outbreak was seen in all kebeles of the woreda and 23,524 people (11527 female) were affected by the disease. The outbreak is suspected to be linked with poor water-supply, and sanitation

2.2 SNNP Regional State

Halaba Special District, Weather: The intensity and distribution of rainfall within the reporting period was not consistent at all kebeles of the Special woreda, which significantly affected the crop performance.

Crop performance: The district agriculture office early warning report indicated that the crop performance across the special district was below normal which is resulted from the late onset and erratic nature of rainfall during the belg and meher season respectively coupled with the outbreak of maize stock borer, maize Lathal Necrosis disease, and haricot bean shoot fly on 24,27ha of maize crop and 600 hectares of haricot bean over 70 kebeles. The aggravating factor is the crops being under critical growth stage, (flowering stage), during moisture stress period.

Because of the reasons mentioned above, farmers replanted 2,427 hectares of maize area and 600 hectares of haricot bean crops area by teff. Due to the severity of the problem, SNNPR’s Bureau of Agriculture supported the special woreda Agriculture office by 50 qts of teff, 100 qts of haricot bean seed and 50 qts of chick peas to distribute 1996 households, which estimated to

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015) cover only 700 hectares of land while the remaining 1727 hectares was covered by the farmers themselves.

Crop stage and drought influence

Moreover, five kebeles (at Eloleqa, Wishoamo, 1st Tuqa, Gerema and Chobare Meino) were severely affected by hailstorm that damaged crops planted on 757ha, 589ha, 924ha, 15ha and 5 hectares of maize, hot pepper, haricot bean, Sorghum, finger millet and wheat crops respectively.

Market price: The prices of maize and wheat increased by 0.7% and 3.91% respectively due to depletion of the stock while the price of teff declined by 1.79% due to low demand for teff. The prices of goat and sheep increased by 1% and 5% respectively as compared to the previous quarter due to preferences of consumers for Meskel festivity and New Year celebration, while the prices of oxen and cows slightly decreased due to poor body condition. This market change was not significant at all when compared to the previous quarter but when compared to the same period of the year 2014 the change is relatively significant as shown in the tables below.

Last Year same % Change in Major crops period price This period Aver Price Price 1. Maize 410 460 +12 2. Teff 1190 1410 +18 3. Wheat 978 1018 +4

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

Last year same period aver. % Change in Major crops Price This period Aver Price Price Ox 7495 6821 -8.9 Cow 4216 3786 -10.8 Sheep 726 714 -1.5 Goat 763 750 -1.7 Livestock body condition has been improving towards the end of the quarter due to the improvement in grazing grass. This situation is not expected to last long as the area gets into the dry season in the coming quarters.

Livestock body condition

Health: 9440 children have got different type of vaccination through woreda health office in the reporting period.

Nutrition: As indicated in the following table, the number children under nutrition support at the end of the quarter became lower as compared to that of the beginning of the quarter, due to the supply of green maize and Irish potato to that market from the surrounding woredas. For example, as indicated in the following table, the number of children under OTP at the end of September 2015 became by 50% lower than that at the beginning of July 2015. This shows improvement of food security situation as compared to the beginning of the quarter.

Table 9: No of children under OTP and SC OTP Data in 2015 Stabilization Center (SC) in 2015

July August September July August September SC and OTP Total at the beginning 324 266 145 19 21 14 New admission 159 92 133 45 35 37 Discharge 217 213 114 43 42 40 End of the month 266 145 164 21 14 11 12

Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

2.3 Oromia Region

Zeway District Weather: The amount and distribution of rainfall at ATJK woreda in the reporting period had been much below normal and inadequate for crop growth and development.

Crop Performance: The performance of crops in the reporting period had been very poor as compared to the previous normal years. As it was observed in the field, the maize crop wilted and failed due to insufficient moisture throughout belg and meher seasons. Due to this reason, it is expected that the crop production of meher season will be decreasing as compared to the normal years.

The physical condition of livestock in ATJK woreda has been deteriorating as compared to the same period of the previous normal years due to inadequate livestock feed, which is the result of shortage of rain. To support farmers in this regard, government distributed livestock feed for Jido area. Moreover, it was observed that livestock had been grazing on the maize crop that had been dried up due to insufficient moisture.

Livestock grazing on dried maize crop field, and poor body condition, Zeway

Market price: In Zeway/ATJK woreda, the market price of barley has slightly increased due to Livestock body condition at Zeway/ATJK areas increased demand for beverages while the prices of wheat, teff and maize showed slight reduction in price due to availability of green maize in the market from other woredas and irrigated farms as compared to the previous quarter. The price of goats showed the increment of 0.95% while the prices of sheep and oxen showed slight reduction of 1.6% and 3.1% respectively as compared to the previous quarter average prices due to physical deterioration of livestock except goat.

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

Diga district

Weather condition: According to the project report, the overall rainfall performance of the woreda has been above normal in terms of amount and distribution during the reporting period, even though there has been wind erosion in some part of the project intervention kebeles though it was not disastrous.

Crop performance: The crop performance of this year is below normal, which is mainly resulted from the delay in onset of belg and meher rainfall, which hindered the timely planting of the crops.

Table 10: Crop development stage by agro-ecological zones at Diga district

Type of Agro- Crop achievement as compared to the Developmental stage major crops ecological zone normal years( equal, below/above) Woina Dega Ripening stage Low Maize Kolla Partly harvesting stage Low Woina Dega Growth stage Sorghum Kolla Flowering stage

Sesame and Kolla Harvesting stage Low ground nut Teff Woinadega Growth stage Low

Partially harvested maize at kolla agro-ecological zone

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

Market Price: The prices of the grains has decreased towards the end of the quarter due to people consuming green and maturing maize whereas that of livestock was almost stable throughout the quarter except sheep price, which decreased in the month of September due to extra supply for the holy day celebration.

Health: The woreda health office has conducted vaccination campaign in all kebeles of the woreda during the reporting period. The campaign has focused on tackling the potential diseases posed by lack of vaccination. Accordingly, the total number of children benefited from the vaccination service is 2,538.

Sasiga District

Weather: According to the project report, the woreda received 36-40 days of precipitation within the reporting period even though it was not adequate in few kebeles for the growth of pasture especially for dry woinedaga areas of the woreda.

Crop performance: The performance of the crops is good and same as compared to that of normal years in the woreda. But, due to hailstorm occurred in the woreda within the reporting period, 444.6 hectares of maize, sorghum, pepper, etc… has been damaged and 11,564 quintals of yield reduction is expected from this area.

Market price: According to the project report, the average prices of oxen, sheep and goats increased by 2.4%, 2%, and 11.7% respectively due to increased demand for New Year public holiday celebrations. The physical condition of livestock is good and the same to that of normal years.

Nutrition: The OTP data indicated in the following table shows that the number of children under support has been reduced by 66.7%, which shows the improvement of the food availability in the woreda towards the end of the quarter due to green maize consumptions.

Table 11: Nutrition status of the woreda within the quarter

Stabilization Centre in TFP Data in 2015 OTP Data in 2015 2015 OTP and Sc July--Sept July --Sept SerNo July--Sept 1 Total beginning No SC data 486 2 New admission 71 3 Discharge 114 4 End of the month No data 162

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

2.4. Benishangul Gumuz Region

Belo District

Weather: The amount of rainfall in the woreda within the reporting period was sufficient for the crop production, which was evenly distributed throughout all operational kebeles. On the other hand, the heavy rain that occurred at Dedesa Kebele damaged 637.75 hectares of land with different types of crops owned by 46 households. Market price: The market prices for all types of crops showed increasing trend in the reporting quarter due to stock depletion with the suppliers. Also the market prices of oxen, sheep and goats increased in the month of September due to high demand for New Year holiday celebration. The body condition of livestock is good because there is sufficient grazing grass as well as drinking water within the woreda.

Health: There were only 2 children under chronic malnutrition in the woreda and health office of the worea is taking care of the case.

3. Emergency Food Support

FHE in collaboration with CRS/USAID and partnering with ORDA had been supporting 51,406, 51,406 and 270,064 food insecure beneficiaries in Amhara Region within the months of July, August and September 2015 respectively. The number of beneficiaries in September has increased by 425% as compared to that of July and August due to failure of belg and meher rainfall. The details on number of supported beneficiaries at each district are indicated in the following table.

Table 10: JEOP beneficiaries at FHE/ORDA operational areas of Amhara Region

Woreda July August September % increase from July caseload Dhana 4,000 4,000 60,988 Gaz Gibla 5,500 5,000 36,228 Lasta 5,035 5,035 23,612 0 0 24,442 Sekota 27,806 27,806 110,405 9,065 9,065 14,389 Total 51,406 51,406 270,064 425%

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Quarter FS Situation & Early Warning Report (July - September 2015)

4. Conclusion The meher season rain started being very much late towards the end of July 2015, which forced farmers to plant beyond the planting season. The amount and distribution of rainfall had been much below normal within most of the project area woredas in the reporting period. As the result of this:  The performance of crops had been much below normal in FH/ORDA operational areas of Amhara Region, Zeway/ATJK woreda and Halaba woreda, due to moisture shortage, coupled with hailstorm damage. As the result of this, much below normal crop production is expected from meher season production in these areas. It is also expected that the number of food insecure people will be increasing. At the end of the reporting period, in the month of September, FHE has been supporting 270,064 beneficiaries in six woredas of Amhara Region. This number is expected to rise as more number of people are added to the caseload from PSNP beneficiary group as well as from new woredas to appear in the requirement list from the meher assessment.  Likewise the shortage of meher rainfall in these areas resulted in drinking water shortage for human being as well as livestock, which is more aggravated at Tach Gayint in the reporting period. The water shortage will be more aggravated in the next quarter dry periods within these project woredas unless unseasonal rain shows up between now and the belg rainy season.

5. Projected Outlook through December 2015 The Belg harvest was below average. The expected meher harvest will be much below normal in all FH operational areas except Sasiga and Diga. Continued dry conditions will lead to deteriorating livestock body conditions and in some cases causing more number of livestock deaths. There will be slight improvement in food availability as the meher harvest enters markets from October to December. However, water shortage will remain to be critical need for humans and livestock. Outbreak of scabies in Tach Gaint and Gaz Gibla woredas is an indication of sanitation and hygiene related requirement to be addressed along with water supply. FH proposes to support WASH related responses in those woredas where the problem is aggravated and expected to be exacerbated.

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