Flood Update New flooding has been reported in parts of the country in recent days, including in the eastern Amhara lowlands bordering Afar, and in northern . In North Wollo zone (Amhara), regional and zonal government sources indicate that a flood-induced landslide, prompted by heavy rains on 22 August, claimed 19 lives and left 24 people injured and approximately 2,855 (571 households) displaced in Mersa woreda. In zone (Amhara), some 8,864 people (1,565 households) have been displaced in Arthuma Fursi, Kemissie and Dewa Cheffa woredas, including 4,658 people who evacuated to higher ground from five kebeles in Arthuma Fursi woreda one week ago and remain inaccessible due to surrounding flood waters. Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS) deployed a helicopter to the affected area to conduct an assessment and provide emergency items including high energy biscuits and medical supplies. Readily available foods (flour and other nutrient-rich food stuffs), sanitary materials and health supplies for a possible outbreak of AWD, malaria and other waterborne diseases are among the prioritized requirements. To date, floods have affected all zones of Amhara except Awi zone and the number of affected and displaced population is significantly increasing. A contingency plan identifying US$ 6.8 million for life-saving emergency and recovery interventions was issued last week, estimating some 270,000 people could be affected by flooding in the region. Regional authorities and humanitarian partners including World Vision, CARE, Food for the Hungry International (FHI), Save the Children-UK, Concern, OCHA, WFP and UNICEF are responding to the needs of the affected population. FAO, together with partners, is organizing an emergency seed distribution, as well as livestock health support.

In the Somali Region, fresh flooding reportedly affected over 100 households in Ayisha woreda on 25 and 26 August. Households displaced from Las-hadad kebele – the most affected area – are temporarily staying at the elementary school in the village. The floods also washed away the water system in Las-hadad. Flooding has also been reported in Degago kebele of the woreda. A rapid assessment team comprising the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Bureau (DPPB) and Save the Children-UK has been deployed to the affected area.

In response to recent floods in Zone 1 of , a joint team, including the Regional Food Security Bureau, Water Resource Development Bureau, FAO and Afar Pastoralist Development Association (APDA, local NGO), is conducting a rapid assessment, including in Milla and Aysita woredas, while the Regional Health Bureau (RHB) is preparing a flood response plan with support from UNICEF. UNICEF is prepositioning water treatment chemicals and emergency medicines in high-risk woredas to strengthen regional- and woreda-level coordination for flood and AWD preparedness and response. CARE is supporting flood-affected communities along the , including in Amibara, and woredas, and has distributed household water treatment supplies to ensure a safe water supply for 3,889 households. Three mobile health teams have been deployed to provide preventive and curative health services to the affected population in Amibara woreda.

In light of the potential for further flooding in the remainder of the kiremt season (through September), the Government and partners last week issued a national flood contingency plan, which estimates that, nationally, some 153,000 people are likely to be affected by floods, of which 25 per cent could be displaced. According to DRMFSS, adequate stocks are available in country to cover the potential food and non-food requirements. Emergency items are being pre-positioned in flood-prone regions. Areas of particular concern include Nuer and Itang (Gambella); South Omo zone (SNNPR); parts of zone 1 and zone 3 (Afar); parts of Southern and Northern zones (Tigray); East, West and Southwest Shewa zones (Oromia); and North and South Wollo, North and South Gonder, North Shewa and Oromia zones (Amhara). For more information contact: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] & [email protected]

Health Update According to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), 27 new cases of AWD (none fatal) were reported from Adola (14 cases) and Shakiso (9 cases) in Oromia Region, and Yirgachefe (2 cases), Gombora (1 case) and Dilla Zuria (1 case) in SNNPR between 16 and 22 August. The Emergency Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO, continues to support regional response efforts. EHNRI together with WHO deployed a team to Guji zone (Oromia) and Gedeo zone (SNNPR) to support the RHBs in strengthening coordination and AWD outbreak control activities. WHO also provided a two-day training for health workers in Afar Region on emergency preparedness, and supported the development of epidemic preparedness and response plan.

FMoH also reported 645 new cases of measles during the same week, from Sidama (281 cases) and South Omo (182 cases) zones of SNNPR, and West Arsi (134 cases) and Bale (48 cases) zones of Oromia. A micro-plan has been developed with WHO support to conduct mini-vaccination campaign in 20 kebeles of Uba Debre Tsehay and Oida woredas in SNNPR. FMoH and the RHBs, in collaboration with partners, are preparing for the nationwide measles mass vaccination campaign scheduled for October 2010. For more information contact: [email protected] & [email protected]

Food Security Update According to WFP, the meher season crop harvest looks promising given the good kiremt rains and timely and adequate supply of agricultural inputs in most parts of the country. The kiremt rains have also contributed to regeneration of pasture and water sources in pastoral areas, resulting in noticeable improvement in livestock body conditions and products. Meanwhile, the launch of the revised Humanitarian Requirements Documents, which will cover emergency needs for the second half of the year, has been postponed until at least mid-September. For more information contact: [email protected], [email protected] & [email protected]