Emergency and Humanitarian Actio n (EHA) WHO Country Office

Weekly update Week 45, 2–8 November 2009

HIGHLIGHTS

• The mid-meher assessment findings are not yet released, but it is expected that the meher harvest, which accounts for about 90% of national cereal production will be unsatisfactory in Gambella, the eastern half of the country, including areas along the Ethiopian Rift Valley, and the southern lowlands of SNNPR. • According to the Federal MoH, no new cases of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) have been reported between 2 and 8 November, but prevention interventions remain paramount to prevent another outbreak. • The Contingency Planning document is expected to be finalized by mid November. The document, which will include the results of the mid-meher assessment, will be used as a tool for early resource mobilization.

GENERAL SITUATION

• The overall security situation remains stable. No major security incidents involving humanitarian staff members have been reported.

Food security and malnutrition • Following prolonged dry spells, the meher (June-October) rains have resumed in several parts of Gambella, SNNPR and some parts of Amhara and Oromiya, rejuvenating pasture and water sources, particularly in the western half of the country. However, while the rains are needed to improve crop performance in midland and highland areas, heavy rains could cause damage to maturing crops in the lowlands. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS-NET) Food Security Outlook for October reports that the meher rains have performed below average in the east and south. In the north and east, the rains started late, performed erratically and ceased early, delaying the harvest (October-January). • The FEWS-NET report further indicates that the hunger season, which normally runs through September, has extended in the east, south-east and south of Tigray, parts of Amhara (Wag Hemra, North and South Wollo, North Shoa and zones) and in eastern and central Oromiya (Arsi, East Hararghe, West Hararghe, East Shoa, West Shoa and the rift valley areas of West Arsi zone).

Acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) • WHO field consultants are reporting AWD cases in Amibara, Gewani, Buremudaitu and Argoba woredas of . Most of the cases are reported among the migrant labourer populations and communities engaged in charcoal production in Amibara woreda. In the , the outbreak remains a threat in flood-affected areas. Risk factors include the lack of access to safe water, proper sanitation facilities and movement of daily labourers, coupled with overcrowded living conditions in large farms and holy water sites.

Emergency and Humanitarian Action (EHA) WHO Country Office Ethiopia Weekly update Week 45, 2–8 November 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) update • According to the FMoH, no new cases of Influenza A H1N1have been reported this week. The total number of confirmed cases in the country is still six. WHO is supporting the FMoH to set priorities for vaccine deployment.

ANALYSIS & HEALTH CONSEQUENCES

Food insecurity and malnutrition • Standard nutrition assessments conducted between August and September and reports from humanitarian partners indicate a mixed nutritional situation. Admissions to therapeutic feeding programmes (TFPs) are decreasing in some woredas of SNNPR, East Hararghe zone (Oromiya), Degehabur zone (Somali) and Mekedela and Legehida woredas (Amhara), while admissions are increasing in (Afar), Korahe (Somali) and Fedis and Midega (Oromiya). The results of these surveys highlight the need for continued nutrition interventions. • The Early Warning Response Directorate (EWRD) is requesting Nutrition Cluster partners to support government efforts to cover additional emerging hotspot woredas with recommended nutrition interventions, in line with the existing national guidelines, as the number of hotspot woredas (priority 1-3) has increased since last June.

ACTIONS

Food insecurity and malnutrition • WHO continues to provide technical support to regions for rolling out of OTP, monitoring and on-job training of health workers on the management of severe acute malnutrition. • As the roll out of therapeutic feeding programmes (TFP) in drought-affected regions proceeds, partners continue to support the Federal MoH in establishing OTP services at the kebele level in the most affected areas.

Acute watery diarrhoea • WHO continues to provide technical support for regions to strengthen AWD surveillance, early warning, assessment of AWD response, and on-the-job training to health workers on AWD case management. • WHO has deployed one international and ten national consultants in the field for emergency health and nutrition response.

COORDINATION

• WHO participated in the technical officers/UNOCHA, WASH Cluster/Ministry of Water Resources, Nutrition Cluster and Ethiopian Humanitarian Country Team (EHCT)/UNDP meetings in Addis Ababa. • WHO is supporting and facilitating coordination for the preparedness and response of influenza A by the UN country team and AWD by the FMOH and the RHBs.

COMMENTS

• WHO is working with the Federal MoH, regional health bureaus and partners to strengthen Information and data sharing at federal and regional levels. Current humanitarian response

Emergency and Humanitarian Action (EHA) WHO Country Office Ethiopia Weekly update Week 45, 2–8 November 2009 interventions are supported by funds from Finland, the Humanitarian Relief Fund (HRF) and WHO internal contributions.

Emergency and Humanitarian Action (EHA) WHO Country Office Ethiopia Weekly update Week 45, 2–8 November 2009