Refugee Update As of 26 August 2011, the total population in the four Dollo Ado refugee camps stands at over 120,000 people. Land to set up a fifth camp has been identified, which could be used to accommodate some 18,000 Somali refugees who have recently crossed the border through the Gode area. Despite the significant drop in the number of new arrivals-from a peak of over 2,000 refugees a day in June/July to 300 a day in August- the challenges remain. Interventions in health and nutrition continue to be a priority in order to stifle the high mortality rate particularly affecting children. In coordination with the Government refugee agency- ARRA, UN agencies and NGOs, UNHCR is stepping up emergency response efforts. The new arrivals were granted prima facie status, and UNHCR has now started to register refugees in Gode zone. UNICEF has sent 200 schools-in-a-carton kits to Dollo Ado that can support up to 8,000 refugee children to have access to education. UNICEF has also procured 42 tents that will be used as child-friendly spaces for the provision of psychosocial support activities and recreation centers for children and young people. Following the completion of the mass Measles vaccination for children aged 6 months to 15 years in Kobe and Melkadida camps, a similar campaign had started in Bokolmayo on 22 August 2011. Efforts are also being made to decentralize health services so that refugees can more easily access medical care. Four satellite clinics have already been established for this purpose. To address the high malnutrition amongst the refugee children, construction of a stabilization center began in Kobe camp. This will be the second such center in the Dollo Ado refugee complex. In addition, clean delivery kits have been distributed in camps to reduce the risk of maternal mortality. Furthermore, WHO has conducted assessments to look at possible areas of support to strengthen the existing TB services in Bokolmayo and Melkadida and the possibility of starting such services in Kobe and Hileweyn camps. Dollo Ado woreda (host community) is also being technically supported by WHO for the planned Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA). As part of the Acute Watery Diarrhoea/Cholera prevention and preparedness activity, UNHCR and its partners continue to pre-position supplies to prevent any possible spread of the disease from Somalia. No suspected Acute Watery Diarrhoea/Cholera cases have been reported in any camps or community settlements in so far. The Ethiopian Defence Forces are currently providing protection to the refugees. For more information, contact: [email protected]

Health Update Suspected Measles cases have been reported from two woredas (Daramalo woreda in Gamo Gofa zone and Konso woreda in Segen Areas Peoples’ zone) in SNNPR and from one woreda (Debre-Libanos woreda -North Shoa zone) in Region. Reports of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) cases have also been received from West Harerge zone ( and woredas) in Oromia region and Kebridehar zone in Somali Region. In response to the AWD case reports in Oromia, coordination committees with zonal, woreda and kebele representatives have been established, and are currently working on various prevention and control activities. The Oromia Regional Health Bureau transferred Birr 100,000 and provided drugs (ORS, Ringer-lactate, antibiotics, water treatment chemicals) to the West Harerge zone office. In addition, CTCs equipped with CTC materials were established in both Mieso and Chiro woreda. An outbreak investigation team from EHNRI/PHEM and partners is to be deployed to Kebridehar zone of Somali Region in order to verify the suspected outbreak of AWD and accordingly plan an adequate response. In SNNPR, WHO conducted a field assessment to monitor SAM case management in two woredas of Sidama zone (Hawassa Zuriya and Shebedino woredas) and Halaba special woredas. Findings indicated shortage of antibiotics and highigthed gaps in technical capacity, for which WHO supported an on the job orientation for health professisonals. In additon, 42 focal persons from 17 woredas in SNNPR received training on surveillance and case management of the ongoing measles outbreak; 26 health personnel in North Gondar zone, Amhara region received training on outbreak investigation; and the 2nd round Acute Malnutrition Management and Supervisory Skill straining was delivered for 45 health professionals from West- Shewa, South-West-Shewa, Jimma, West Harerge, Kelem Wellega, Horo Guduru-Wellega and Borena zone of Oromia region. WHO continues to support Regions in terms of building the technical capacity of their health professionals. For more information, contact: [email protected]

WASH Update Shortage of water due to erratic and poor seasonal rains continues to be reported in parts of Somali and Oromia regions, and in pocket areas of Afar and Tigray regions. The number of water trucks operational in the drought-affected areas of the aforementioned regions has increased from 63 to 71 trucks within a one week period, benefiting an estimated 146,000 people in need. The total number of trucks required to support the affected areas has however increased from 90 trucks to 131. In Somali Region, UNICEF supported the Regional Water Bureau in conducting a thorough assessment of the number and status of water points in the area. Findings indicated 260 functional boreholes from a total of 287 viable ones. The four mobile maintenance teams continue to receive UNICEF support enabling the ongoing trucking operations through the rehabilitation and maintenance of water schemes. On 22 August 2011, three major assessment teams were deployed by the Oromia Regional Water Bureau in order to verify the water situation in water stressed zones of the region including Dawe Serer, Rayitu, Dawe Kachen and Seweyna woredas of Bale zone. For more information, contact: [email protected]