Inter-agency Multi Sector Rapid Needs Assessment Report on IDP Return Areas of East Wollega Zone,

21st – 23rd May 2019

Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

Table of Contents List of Figures ...... 2 List of Tables ...... 2 Executive Summary ...... 3 1. Introduction ...... 6 1.1. Context ...... 6 1.2. Objective ...... 7 2. Methodology ...... 7 3. Agriculture ...... 8 3.1. Overview ...... 8 3.2. Issues and Challenges ...... 8 3.3. Recommendations ...... 9 4. Shelter and Non-Food Items ...... 9 4.1. Context ...... 9 4.2. Issues ...... 10 4.3. Priorities & Recommendations ...... 11 5. Health, Nutrition & Food ...... 12 5.1. Health & Nutrition overview ...... 12 5.2. Food overview ...... 13 5.3. Recommendations ...... 14 6. Protection ...... 15 6.1. Overview ...... 15 6.2. Safety & Security concerns ...... 15 6.3. Vulnerability in access to services ...... 15 6.4. Recommendations ...... 17 7. Water, Sanitation & Hygiene ...... 18 7.1. Water Supply issues and recommendations ...... 18 7.2. Sanitation and hygiene issues and recommendations ...... 19 7.3. General WASH Recommendations ...... 21 8. Conclusion ...... 21 9. Recommendations ...... 22

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

List of Figures Figure 1. Landscape in Haro Limu woreda...... 6

Figure 2. Map of Benishangul-Gumuz, East and West Wollega showing key return movements of IDPs. (OCHA, 2019)...... 6

Figure 3. Use of donkeys instead of oxen for land cultivation in woreda...... 9

Figure 4 Totally damaged tukul in Haro Limu woreda, East Wellega. The family were sleeping outside due to the condition of their home. Note much of the vegetation that could be used to rebuild has also been burned...... 10

Figure 5. Partially damage home in Shambelele, woreda, East Wellega. The home has no windows or doors, reducing privacy, the roof does not provide protection from the weather...... 10

Figure 6. Health center at Arkumbe 01. The building was damaged and medical supplies and equipment looted during the conflict...... 12

Figure 7. Cooking items destroyed and burnt in Dipo, Guto Gida...... 14

Figure 8. Access to Lopo site, Haro Limu woreda from Suge is by dirt road. Access is only possible in dry conditions and the location is not accessible by truck...... 16

Figure 9. Open latrine with no privacy in a transit site in Guto Gida...... 17

Figure 10. Spring catchment requiring rehabilitation, Simentegna...... 18

List of Tables Table 1 Summary of the number of households and total populations returned to their original place in East Wollega Zone, by woreda...... 3

Table 2. Table summarizing team participants for the assessment...... 8

Table 3. Response Matrix for Shelter & NFI support...... 11

Table 4. Summary of the status of existing water schemes in East Wollega Zone returnee sites...... 19

Table 5. Summary of Sanitation and Hygiene Practices Findings and recommendations...... 20

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

Executive Summary By May 2019, East Wollega Zone, Oromia, hosted more than 150,000 IDPs from the villages adjoining the border with the zone, Benishangul-Gumuz and from within as a result of the conflict that broke out in September 2018. The majority displaced are Oromos, along with Amaras. More than 150,000 were located in 22 collective sites and with host communities in 7 woredas in East Wollega. The government and humanitarian actors responded to the emergency needs; UN agencies started the response from January 2019. The government initiated a return of IDPs in April 2019 and mandated to complete this in a short period of time. Government authorities confirmed that a team representing multisectoral departments consulted the IDPs and received consensus return to their places of origin. The return process of IDPs was completed by the third week of May 2019.

In East Wollega Zone a total of 7,691 HHs or 45,946 people are returned to their original place between May7-20,2019 in the kebeles found at the boarder of Benishangul-Gumuz in 6 woredas. However, 99% of the IDPs are returned to 4 woredas; Haro Limu (58%), Sasiga (25.1%), Guto Gida (9.9%) and Limu (5.6%). The number of IDPs returned to their original place are summarized by woreda in Table 1.

Table 1 Summary of the number of households and total populations returned to their original place in East Wollega Zone, by woreda(Returned between May7-20,2019)

# Household Heads # People Woreda % M F Total M F Total 18 6 24 65 59 124 0.3% Gida Ayana 60 17 77 168 186 354 0.8% Guto Gida 888 127 1015 3299 1236 4535 9.9% Haro Limu 2866 937 3803 10171 16458 26629 58.0% Leka Dullecha 31 12 43 81 73 154 0.3% Limu 397 141 538 1310 1282 2592 5.6% Sasiga 1912 279 2191 5986 5572 11558 25.1% Total 6172 1519 7691 21080 24866 45946 100%

A humanitarian team in East Wollega representing OCHA, IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, Goal , World Vision, Save the Children, IRC, FIDO conducted Rapid Need Assessments in the border areas of Oromia (Kebeles of Sasiga, Guto Gida, Gida Ayana, Haro Limu and Limu Woredas) adjoining the Kamashi zone shortly after the returns process.

Peace and reconciliation

The returnees highlighted security as one of the priorities required to live in the returned areas. The peace conferences held by the government with participation of the both Gumuz and Oromo need to be continued as more to sustain peace and security in the area. Security incidents reported in the areas of return, indicate that some armed groups in Gumuz are not yet prepared to accept the returnees. Many returnees have lands inside the Kamashi Zone, and the access is denied. Access to the lands located some of the border areas is under security threats.

The peacebuilding activities that were initiated by the government were focused to intermediate level of the communities; such as discussions between religious leaders, Abagadas and government stakeholders. The inter-community engagement, aimed at creating understanding and social co-existence, is a visible absence which is the predominant need of the community.

Generally, returnees are ready for consensual peace negotiations and to build peace with the Gumuz but they are not confident about armed groups in Benishangul Gumuz region. Peacebuilding activities, engaging both the communities while the critical needs are being addressed, is a priority. There is a great need for initial confidence building activities, leading to peacebuilding, focused on community reconciliation.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

This could give leverage for the transitional justice systems with the acceptance of both the communities. Community based peacebuilding activities are essential to stabilize the life of the returnees.

Agriculture

• In some locations, farmers are preparing the land, despite security and other challenges. • Farming tools, fertilizers and seeds are the priority needs to ensure future food supplies. • Some crops must be planted at the beginning of the rainy season to ensure a sufficient harvest. • The government have a shortage of improved seeds for immediate distribution

Shelter and Non-Food Items

• Shelter is a critical and priority need of returnees. Most of the shelters are totally or partially damaged, with those in totally damaged homes sleeping outside. • There is an urgent need for plastic sheeting to protect people from the rain, improve privacy and reduced protection and security concerns, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, children and the elderly. • Government statistics indicates that 1975 shelters are totally damaged whilst partially damaged data are not available. • The NFI need is high, as not everyone could take previously distributed items with them when they returned. NFI interventions should be clearly targeted through household assessments. • Cash based interventions can address urgent needs where market accessibility and item availability allow.

Health, Nutrition and Food

• Returnees in all the return areas encounter huge challenges with access to health services. For example, very irregular services, very long distances to reach the health services and no transportation facilities are the critical issues that need to be addressed. • Most of the health posts are damaged and need rehabilitation. Eight health facilities were totally damaged and looted, 9 need to be rehabilitated in returnee areas. • There is a critical need for mobile clinics, provision of drugs, nutrition screening. • Most of the last food distributions were in mid-April and there is a critical food shortage.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

• Water access points and the spring systems are damaged or dysfunctional and need urgent repair in Sasiga and Guto Gida. • There is a need for rehabilitation of an estimated 20 critical water access points to enhance and create access for the drinking water for the returnees. • In locations where people have no access to a protected source of water, there is need for distribution of HHWTC and household water treatment promotion. • For sanitation, an immediate response of construction of emergency latrines in transition shelters is required, for example in Guto Gida woreda Kenaf kebele where HHs who lost their shelter are temporally living in school as transition center. Institutional latrines are required in locations where returnees and the host community are accessing health services. • Hygiene practices are very poor among all. Immediate hygiene promotion related interventions will prevent communicable diseases which are anticipated as the rainy season has started and there are limited proper shelters and latrines and limited access for water facilities for the returnees. • Limited WASH NFIs were observed during the assessment and distribution is necessary after household level assessment.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

• A contingency plan must be elaborated by WASH cluster in case of water related disease outbreak(s), considering rainy season and very poor WASH conditions.

Protection

• Women, children, elderly and the disabled need access to health services, water, food and shelter/NFI. • Child protection, family reunification and SGBV prevention services should be activated. • Protection monitoring across all the returnee areas to guide partners for intervention and advocate for government stakeholders to extend services is a priority need. • Since the returnees are in high risk areas in terms of security, and live without shelters and sanitation facilities, protection activities must be prioritized in conjunction with the emergency and multisectoral recovery initiatives. • Women, children and the youth need PSS support. Mothers highlighted that their children start crying at night due to the displacement. • Returnees, irrespective of age, have seen torture and killings. • Many children haven’t had a formal education for the past 8 months and require support to prepare for a return to education. • Majority of the returnees are living with great fear as they live adjoining to the border. Armed group in Gumuz visit the border and show threating signs. • Women are scared to go to fetch water from the springs that are in proximity of the border. • Government forces are not deployed or not seen on patrolling to provide security. The security tension observed among all the recently returned returnees. The government needs to strengthen the security in the borders to sustain the returns.

The current living context of the returnees is a significant risk, as there are prevalent lifesaving needs in terms of shelter, NFI, WASH and food security. Although it is a return context, the above needs should be addressed under emergency response. Recovery initiatives related to productive, social infrastructure rehabilitation such as access to water, education, and livelihoods should be also addressed in parallel in order to ensure stability at the returned community. The current context of safety and security at the places of return is not resolved, therefore peace and reconciliation interventions should be also prioritized to ensure sustainability of the recovery and lifesaving initiatives.

List of Acronyms

Acronym Meaning Sector Acronym Meaning Sector AWD Acute Watery Diarrhea Health MCH Maternal and child health Health Corrugated Galvanized CGI ES/NFI NFI Non-food item Shelter Iron Community-led total Outpatient therapeutic CLTS WASH OTP Health sanitation programme CSB++ Corn soy blend Food PLW Pregnant and lactating women Protection Extended Programme on EPI Health PSS Psychosocial services Protection Immunization ES Emergency shelter Shelter PWLD People with learning difficulties Protection HC Health Centre Health RRT Rapid Response Team Health Ready to use supplementary HEW Health extension worker Health RUSF Nutrition food Household water treatment HHWTC WASH SC Stabilization Center Health chemicals Sexual and gender-based HP Health Post Health SGBV Protection violence

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

Targeted supplementary feeding HW Health worker Health TSFP Nutrition programme Upper / lower respiratory tract IRS Indoor residual spraying Health U/LRTI Health infection ITN Insecticide Treated Net Health moderate acute MAM Health malnutrition

1. Introduction 1.1. Context East Wollega Zone is one of the twenty administrative zones of Oromia regional state and has 17 districts and 286 kebeles with a total population of approximately 1,686,851 persons. The zone has a total land area of 1,315,895 hectares. The zone is neighbored by Buno Bedele to the southwest, West Wollega by the west, Benishangul-Gumuz to the north west, Horo Gudru Wollega by north east and West Shewa by east.

The zone is known for the maize, sorghum, sesame and haricot bean production. Coffee production is also a major livelihood for the zone, with 40,606 tons of coffee produced in West and East Wollega combined, based on inspection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and tea authority in 2005. This represents 35.3% of the region’s output and 17.9% of Ethiopia’s total output1.

East Wollega Zone is found at an altitude range of 900 - 3,178 meters above sea level. The topography of the zone is classified as plain (59.6%), undulate land (18%), mountains (6.6%), hilly areas (6.3%) and swampy land Figure 1. Landscape in Haro Limu woreda. (9.3%). The zone has three agro-ecological zones which comprises 7.2% highland, 51.1% midland and 41.7% lowland (Figure 1). The zone has bimodal type of rainfall and receives an annual rainfall amount which ranges between 800 to 2,260mm, while the average temperature is between 23°C to 36°C.

Since the end of September 2018, following the conflict in Kamashi Zone of Benishangul Gumuz Region (BGR) and border woredas of Oromia (East and West Wollega Zones), around 53,773 households or 238,334 people were displaced. In East Wollega Zone alone, more than 145,685 people were affected, while 112,814 were displaced from their place of origin, and 32,871 peoples’ livelihoods were affected as they lost their farm products in BGR. During displacement, many lived in very overcrowded conditions in 22 collective sites in 6 woredas.

In East Wollega Zone 116,250 people returned to their place of origin in border areas of Oromia and Belo Jiganfido and woredas of Kamashi Zone, BGR. Among the total number of returnees, 26,985 returned to Kamahi zone of BGR and 89,265 to the border areas of East Wollega Zone (Figure 2).

As the majority of IDPs are returned to their place of origin in both BGR and the border zones of Oromia,

1 Central Statistics Agency (CSA), 2005

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

a rapid multispectral interagency needs assessment was conducted to identify the basic needs of the returnees in East Wollega Zone border. Based on the assessment findings, a detailed report was developed per sector for ease of reference in future planning to rehabilitate the returnees in their place of origin.

Figure 2: Map of Benishangul-Gumuz, East and West Wollega showing key return movements of IDPs. (OCHA, 2019).

1.2. Objective

• To identify the humanitarian needs and gaps for responding to the crisis in East Wollega Zone.

2. Methodology • Conduct focus group discussions (FGDs) with the IDP returnees, segregated by sex and age, where appropriate. • Key informant (KI) interview with woreda officials. • Use of a multisector initial rapid assessment checklist to collect primary data from returnee areas. • Observation to understand the living condition of returnees and the impact of the conflict on infrastructure. • Detailed discussion among assessment team members to establish a common understanding on the situation of returnees.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

• Consolidation of findings by sector and report writing. • Two assessment teams (Table 2): o Team 1: Three returnee kebeles in Sasiga and Guto Gida woredas o Team 2: Three returnee kebeles in Limu and Haro Limu woredas. Discussion with woreda authorities at Gida Ayana woreda.

Table 2. Table summarizing team participants for the assessment.

Team Participants 1 Zone DRMO, Zone Water department, Zone Health Department, Zone Agriculture Department, UNOCHA, UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, SCI, WVE, IRC, NCS 2 Zone DRMO, Zone Agriculture Department, Zone Water Department, OCHA, UNHCR, UNFPA, IOM, UNICEF, WFP, SCI, WVE, Goal Ethiopia, FIDO and IRC (partially participated)

3. Agriculture 3.1. Overview East Wollega Zone is one of the highest potential areas for agricultural production in Ethiopia and is categorized as the Maize Belt. The zone has a total area of 1,315,895 hectares of land, out of which 63.3% is arable land. Maize is the major crop produced in the area both in terms of area coverage and volume of production. From the total planned area of 408,417 hectares to be covered by crops for the current cropping year, 178,000 hectares of land is planned to covered by maize. The total expected yield from the total planned area to be covered by crops is 14,316,335 quintals. Despite this huge potential of maize production in the area, the returnees are not able to begin maize production due to lack of agricultural inputs in their place of origin. A food shortage will continue in the coming years if the agricultural input supply gap is not resolved.

In addition to maize production in East Wollega Zone, IDP returnee areas are known for sesame and ground nut production followed by haricot bean production. The sowing time of these crops is mainly within the month of June according to the information received from agriculture office of East Wollega Zone.

3.2. Issues and Challenges The majority of IDPs who previously settled in the collective centers, as well as in the host community because of the conflict are starting to consider livelihood resumption, focused on agriculture. However, there is no supply and availability of agricultural inputs including improved seeds, fertilizer, chemicals, farming tools and oxen for ploughing.

The main sowing time of maize in East Wollega Zone for maize production is within the month of May, but due to lack of farm inputs, the majority of IDP returnees have not resumed land preparation in the visited kebeles, despite there only being two weeks left for sowing maize. Due to ending/passing of sowing time for maize, the farmers are concerned their land may not be covered by crops and they will be dependent on food aid for the coming year and will continue facing food shortages. In addition, the farmers did not harvest their agricultural products due to the conflict occurring near to the harvesting time in 2018. If the 2018 harvest had been successful, they could have harvested seeds for the current sowing season. Sesame and Haricot bean can be substituted to cover the arable land of returnees. Maize is preferable, but the time shortage, and unavailability of improved seed on the market could hinder maize production for this cropping year and the other options can be sought by aid agencies and government. Local maize seeds can also be used as a substitute even though its productivity is low.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

The visited IDP returnee areas are affected by the livestock disease Tiripanasomiasis (African Sleeping Sickness) and the farmers regularly sell their oxen after one cropping season, as they often die. The livestock health facilities were looted during the conflict, and currently there is no access to livestock health services. Many returnees lost their livestock due to looting at the time of conflict, and currently there are few draft animals for land preparation (Figure 3). Finally, a shortage of livestock feed during the time of displacement, led to death of livestock. The returnees are in an urgent need of oxen for land preparation. Figure 2. Use of donkeys instead of oxen for land cultivation in Guto Gida woreda. The farmers training centers (FTCs) were partially damaged during the conflict, and training tools and materials were completely looted and damaged. The FTCs can’t provide the required service for the farmers at a moment. Farmers’ cooperative centers were also looted and are currently nonfunctional. Support provided to these institutions to resume their service for the returnee farmers is crucial, as their role in livelihood recovery program of the returnees is vital.

3.3. Recommendations • Provision of agricultural inputs including seeds, fertilizer, oxen and tools. • Renting tractors to cultivate the returnees land can be an option if funding is limited for oxen purchase • Rehabilitation of Farmer Training Centers and Farmer Cooperative Centers. 4. Shelter and Non-Food Items 4.1. Context There are a range of returnee shelter typologies across East Wollega Zone, in order of priority:

1. Homesite return - totally damaged home, sheltering outside. 2. Homesite return - totally damaged home, sheltering in community buildings. 3. Homesite return – totally damaged home, sheltering with other families. 4. Homesite return - partially damaged home, sheltering within home. 5. Transit site IDP, not at homesite. 6. Split families (for example, where adults have returned to the homesite, students are renting in host community to continue their education). 7. Return in home kebele, renting. 8. Homesite return - home not damaged.

Those with totally damaged homes are typically residing in the border areas of East Wollega, such as the localities visited at Lopo, Haro Limu and Shambelele, Sasisga. Those with partially damaged homes typically reside further from the border areas, such as those at Arkembe, Limu, and their homes have been damaged by looting.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

4.2. Issues Those who have returned to totally damaged homes are typically sheltering outside (1), with no privacy or protection from the weather (Figure 4). Affected communities with totally damaged homes, such as those at Lopo and Shambelele, typically reside in tukuls, constructed from eucalyptus, bamboo, mud + straw and grass, which were burned during the conflict. They have few NFIs and are exposed to the weather, alongside water and vector borne diseases. There is a lack of privacy, increasing SGBV concerns for women and girls, as multiple families are sharing the same spaces under the trees. People in totally damaged homes Figure 3 Totally damaged tukul in Haro Limu woreda, East cited shelter as their immediate priority, Wellega. The family were sleeping outside due to the condition of their home. Note much of the vegetation that could be used to particularly as it is now rainy season. rebuild has also been burned. Living conditions for those with totally damaged homes fall significantly below Sphere Standards, not just for shelter, but across several sectors including shelter, NFI, WASH and Health.

Those whose homes are totally or partially damaged are residing in community buildings (2), with relatives (3) or in their partially damaged homes (4) (Figure 5). Partially damaged homes are typically constructed with eucalyptus and CGI and may have been burnt or looted. Partial damage may also include removal of windows, doors and CGI, exposing people to the weather, reducing privacy and creating security and protection issues. People within partially damaged homes had variable access to NFIs, including jerry cans, blankets and kitchen items, but several who had returned could not take their items with them. Figure 4. Partially damage home in Shambelele, Sasiga woreda, East Wellega. The home has no windows or doors, reducing Those sheltering in transit sites (5) may privacy, the roof does not provide protection from the weather. be exposed to the weather or require plastic sheeting for privacy partitioning. Lack of building tools and materials are referenced as a barrier to return from the transit site. The returns process has resulted in split families, with school-aged children residing with relatives or host communities, typically in the location of displacement (6). Those renting within their home kebeles (7) are typically within undamaged houses but may not have yet resumed livelihoods activities. Those returning to undamaged homes (8) are not a priority for shelter and NFI support.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

Given the ongoing tensions and returns that are not necessarily sustainable, the ESNFI cluster should also seek to preposition ESNFI should secondary displacement occur. This is critical to provide a timely, lifesaving response to the newly displaced, particularly as this will occur during the rainy season.

4.3. Priorities & Recommendations • People with totally destroyed homes who are sheltering outside (1) require an immediate ESNFI response, comprising and emergency shelter kit (two plastic sheets and rope) and a bedding set at a minimum2. This is to provide immediate lifesaving protection from the weather, in line with Shelter and NFI Cluster Objective 13. • Those sheltering in partially damaged homes (2, 3, 4), would benefit from a shelter repair kit for rebuild or repair comprising CGI, nails and cash for local materials. Where markets contain repair items and NFIs, cash for repairs or NFIs may be preferable. • Where it is safe and dignified for those in transit sites (5) to return, a shelter repair kit should be considered if lack of tools and materials is the barrier to return. Community toolkits or cash for labor may be appropriate depending on in depth needs assessments of community requirements. • People residing in totally and partially damaged homes may require support with HLP as they have lost their documentation to show ownership of property and / or land • Those in rental properties (6 + 7) would benefit from a cash for rent response, particularly to support their sheltering until the school year is complete and security improves in the return location. • Those renting, but without livelihoods, may also benefit from cash for rent until livelihood activities are resumed as they currently have finite resources for rental payments. • People returned to their undamaged homes (8) are not a priority for ESNFI support.

In depth needs assessments should determine the need for NFIs per location and settlement typology, and the national targeting guidelines followed. Access to NFIs varies vastly across the assessed area – returnees may not have been able to take NFIs with them on return, have sold them or have access to local markets to purchase what they require. Where possible, Shelter & NFI partners should seek to integrate WASH and livelihoods support, or work with partners within these sectors. These sectors are also cited as a priority need for those in totally damaged homes (Table 3).

Table 3. Response Matrix for Shelter & NFI support.

Totally damaged In Partially Home not With host Transit site Renting Outside community damaged damaged family building Priority 1 2 3 4 5 6 Emergency  Critical Consider N/A N/A N/A shelter kit NFI: Bedding set  Critical NFI: Kitchen set – as per – as per – as per – as per – as per NFI: Hygiene kit needs needs needs needs needs NFI: Mosquito assessment assessment assessment assessment assessment N/A N/A – not a net priority for Consider if Consider ESNFI lack of tools Shelter repair after, or in support    & materials a kit* parallel with barrier to ES response return Cash Only if market accessible in lieu of in kind NFI or shelter building materials  Cash for rent HLP support      N/A IEC and training      *A shelter repair kit comprises roofing materials, tools and fixings to rebuild and cash for materials or labor.

2 Shelter & NFI Cluster Ethiopia, Standard Composition of the Emergency Shelter and Non-food items kit, July 2017: https://www.sheltercluster.org/sites/default/files/docs/170713_esnfikits_definition.docx.pdf 3 Ethiopia Humanitarian Response Plan, 2019

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

Data on damaged homes in the woredas visited are as follows:

Totally damaged homes Partially damaged homes Source Haro Limu Approx. 800 Approx. 200 Haro Limu DRMO Sasiga 700 No data Kebele Guto Gida Approx. 400 No data Kebele Limu <50 No data Kebele Total 1925 No data NDRMC Target: 100% Unknown until data

5. Health, Nutrition & Food 5.1. Health & Nutrition overview All returnees do not have access to health services and of most of the HCs and HPs closest to the returnees are partially damaged and not functional. In Arkumbe 01 and 03 kebeles at Limu Woreda, the 3 HPs and 1 HC nearby cannot provide health services as they were damaged and with looting of medical equipment and other drugs during the conflict (Figure 6). The remaining two HPs at Arkumbe are similarly not functional due to absence of HEWs from their duty station for last 9 months.

In Lopo returnee site, Haro Limu Woreda, returnees do not have access to health services due to security and Figure 5. Health center at Arkumbe 01. The building was damaged the distance. Returnees here are and medical supplies and equipment looted during the conflict. approximately 13km from their nearest HPs, which are not fully functional. Yaso HC in Kemashi (BGR) is closer, and previously accessed, but the returnees do not wish to travel here due to fear and unstable security conditions.

In general, all routine health services including: MCH, EPI, nutrition (OTP and SC), TB /HIV DOT services and other emergency services were disrupted during the conflict and not yet resumed normal services. Due to the lack of healthcare, outbreaks of communicable diseases are high risk in returnee areas, Scabies, called ‘’ Maal naa waya’’ by the community at Arkumbe kebeles, is already present. Acute watery diarrhea (AWD), malaria, measles and severe acute malnutrition are the most likely threats to the returnees. AWD, is a particular concern because of low latrine coverage and utilization at Lopo, and low access to safe and adequate water supply and shortage of household water treatment chemicals in most of returnee areas.

For those returnees at Bikiltu Shenkora Kebele, Balla Village, Sasiga woreda, the closest health centre is approximately 2 hours walking, rendering safe access to health services a major challenge. There is a health center in Bereda and a hospital in Shenkora, both of which are 10km away from the village. Facilities at the health center are very basic, with services provided by HWs and HEWs, including access to MCH services. There is evidence of malnutrition in the community with no nutrition services to cater for malnourished children. Transmissible diseases were reported and other health issues such as pneumonia, diarrhea, scabies and diabetes were quite common in the community.

In Bereda Kebele – Camp five Village of Sasiga Woreda, there is safe access to health services, a 90- minute walk from the community. Facilities at this health center are minimal for consultations, and MCH

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

services are not available. The presence of transmissible diseases, including diarrhea and scabies was reported. There was clear evidence of malnutrition in the community despite the provision of nutrition services by HEW.

At Belo kebele, Biftu Belo, Sasiga Woreda, the nearest health center is Soge Health center of Belojegenfoy Woreda, Kemashi zone BGR. However, the returnees can’t access the service due to fear of the armed group in BGR. The returnees at this site are served at Belo Health center and Health post 20km away from their site. In Ketena 10 site, Belo kebele, the returnees have better access to health facilities due to proximity to the kebele center. Generally, malnutrition in the communities visited, diarrhea and scabies were reported.

In Bikiltu Shenkora Kebele, Hora wata and Simentegna and Shembelele sites in the Sasiga Woreda, there is a lack of pharmaceuticals. Hora Wata village previously had health services, but during the conflict, health professionals left due to security. The returnees at Hora Wata ,Simentegna site get services from Anger Health facility 12km away from their location. In all sites of the kebele, the returnee access to MCH services is not known.

In Guto Gida, Kenaf Kebele, similar to other returnee sites, the health facilities are a critical problem. There is no health facility in the village, only emergency and essential services are available. The nearest health facility is located 5km away at Uke Health Centre. Despite the distance to health facility, the returnees have access to MCH services. There are reports of watery diarrhea, dysentery, scabies, U/LRTI, malaria and suspected TB in the area. The assessment indicated that MAM cases were screened, reported and referred to government and partners.

Generally, communities stated that they are practicing home delivery by traditional birth attendant after interruption of health services. Due to this, maternal death and a newborn death have occurred. Arkumbe 03 community mentioned that a mother gave birth on a motorbike whilst travelling to the nearest health center which was 30km from the return site. In Biftu Belo, Ketena 10 and Arkumbe 01 sites, the community stated that there is no access to ambulance for transportation of any emergency cases to the nearest health institutions.

5.2. Food overview There has been no safe access to relief foods at Arkumbe kebele returnee areas for at least one month, whilst in Lopo village, Suge kebele they have received their one-month ration from government. Approximately 15kg of maize (without pulses) and 0.44 liters of vegetable oil were provided per individual for monthly consumption, which is not enough and poorly diversified. Additionally, there is no budget allocated for grinding and purchasing of spices. These issues are very serious, especially for PLW and children with disabilities.

There are no TSFP (CSB++ and RUSF) services, and supplementary feeding has not yet started at returnee areas. This may result in deterioration of children and PLW with MAM, leading to severe acute malnutrition. Additionally, there are not enough items or materials for cooking and processing food.

In Bikiltu Shenkora Kebele – Balla Village of Sasiga woreda, food is similarly a significant concern, despite the community having safe access to relief food, as well as targeted supplementary feeding. Food delivery is irregular, and the last time the community received food assistance was 2 months ago, whilst they were still at the IDP sites. Food provided lacks a pulse component, and they received only 15 kg of grain per individual per month. People do not have enough items to cook and eat food, and they suggested that food assistance should be 30kg per individual to compensate the missing items such as pulse.

In Bereda Kebele – Camp five village of Sasiga woreda, people have safe access to relief food and targeted supplementary feeding but said that food assistance is not adequate. There were challenges in accessing the targeted supplementary feeding because of the distance to the place of distribution. The last time they received food assistance was 1 month ago, while they were still in IDP sites. In the return areas people do not have enough items to cook and eat food.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

In Hora Wata, Seminitegna site of Sasiga woreda, there received 8kg of Maize and 2kg CSB++ and 0.5 Liters of oil per person. Supplementary food, comprising 2 kg CSB++ per person were distributed for the returnees at the displacement site 6 weeks ago.

In Belo kebele, Biftu Belo and Ketena 10 sites of Sasiga woreda, the last food distribution was one month ago (30 April 2019) when they were in IDP site. The returnees have access to the targeted supplementary feeding programme (CSB++ and / or RUSF) at Belo Health center.

In Kenaf site of Guto Gida woreda, a Figure 6. Cooking items destroyed and burnt in Dipo, Guto Gida. malnutrition screening was conducted at the IDP collective site, however no treatment has been provided for eligible children and PLW. The last general food distribution was conducted early April and the amount of the ration was 3kg per person per month, which is not enough. Since that distribution, the community have not received any food assistance and do not have sufficient items to cook and store food (Figure 7).

5.3. Recommendations Health recommendations are as follows:

• Urgent repair and rehabilitation of health facilities. • Active surveillance for early detection and management of disease outbreaks. • Preparedness plan at the HCs and woreda for any disease outbreaks that occur. RRT team meetings at the woreda and the HCs be activated. • Urgently start mobile health services and establish mobile clinics in returnee area. • Provide medical equipment and essential drugs for HCs and HPs. • Help return HWs and HEWs to their duty station. • Provide psychosocial support for returnees. • Actively work on hygiene and sanitation. • Provide ITN and IRS for returnees.

Nutrition recommendations are as follows:

• Early Relief food distribution • Conducting nutritional screening for children under 5 and PLW • Urgent supply of supplementary food (CSB++ and RUSF) at HPs and HCs • Add pulses to relief food, in addition to maize and oil supplements • Provide cooking and food storage materials • Urgent nutritional mass screening to be a priority for HEW and partners working on health and nutrition (MHNT). • Strengthening of referral system to previously equipped health facilities.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

6. Protection 6.1. Overview The rapid needs assessment indicates that returnees are currently exposed to very vulnerable conditions, that are far below minimum standards. Most returnees either live in the open, unprotected from the elements in very difficult weather conditions, basic shelters made of plastic sheeting or collective centers such as warehouses and schools, with very limited access to basic services. Physical safety and life-threatening gaps in access to basic services, in particular: water and sanitation, health and nutrition, education, food, shelter and non-food items, are key protection concerns.

Restrictions on freedom of movement due to security and safety concerns, psychological distress and trauma from previous attacks, as well as cases of harassments and SGBV were highlighted by returnees as some of the major protection issues. The key protection concerns faced by returnees are summarized below with initial recommendations for immediate action. The results of this assessment serve as a reference for protection programming and response in return areas.

6.2. Safety & Security concerns All the interviews (key informant interviews and focus group discussions) indicated that security in the return areas is very tense, and returnees are not feeling safe and secure. They expressed their concern that criminals are not detained, and retaliation might happen at any time as both communities are living very close to each other, but without any peace and reconciliation established. In Bereda and Bikiltu Shenkora Kebeles, returnees were still gripped by fear and trauma from previous attacks, restricting their movements.

FGDs in Lopo site, Suge kebele, reported a killing of one of the returnees in the area of return, and that there is no interaction between both conflicted communities. In focus group discussions, returnees in Limu Woreda also stated the case of an unresolved boundary dispute between both communities in Derebata and Tulu Kure which happened before the outbreak of the conflict as another outstanding safety and security risk.

Some returnees whose farmlands are in Benishangul-Gumuz are not accessing their farms and if immediate attention is not given to address boundary disputes between both communities and restore the broken relationships, conflict might occur again. In Bereda Kebele, returnees whose activities were based on sharecropping practices with landowners located in Benishangul-Gumuz, no longer have access to agricultural land as a result of the conflict. Sustained peace initiatives and reconciliation is critical to reinstate these practices that have been prevailing in the community for many years.

Returnees also mentioned the importance of government peacebuilding and reconciliation initiatives which have contributed to relative peace in the place of return but demanded immediate consideration of community-led peacebuilding and conflict resolution interventions to restore broken inter-community relationships. Government peacebuilding and conflict resolution initiatives need to be strengthened, together with the communities. Community representatives participating in focus group discussions highlighted the establishment of peace committee and the role of respected traditional and religious leaders in peacebuilding and reconciliation processes.

The authorities of Haro Limu Woreda of East Wollega and Yaso Woreda of Kamashi Zone have established cross border government peace committees to address conflict issues across the border. This initiative is at macro level with no active participation of affected communities and remains very weak in terms of implementation. The peacebuilding and conflict resolution initiative requires support with active community engagement to restore broken relationships and create peaceful coexistence in order to sustain the return of IDPs in their places of origin.

6.3. Vulnerability in access to services FGDs with women and men revealed that conflict has badly affected elderly, children, pregnant women and persons living with disabilities (PLWDs). In FGDs with women, they expressed concern over lack of access

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

to health and nutrition services in the area of return. Complications or death associated with delivery have been reported in Limu woreda Arkumbe 03 kebele. In the return areas, vulnerable people are hardly accessing health facilities in neighboring communities, and public transportation is very rare in the return area, with no capacity to cover transportation costs. In Arkumbe 01 kebele, women stated that traditional birth attendance practices resulted in the death of 3 newborns.

Health facilities were destroyed and looted during crisis and health professionals left the area. IDPs have returned without proper health service put in place in the areas of returned and sick people must travel long distances to access nearby health facilities, up to approximately of 30 km. In Haro Limu Woreda, many areas of return are inaccessible due to bad road conditions and it is only one return area which is accessible during the dry season (Figure 8).

In Limu and Sasiga Woredas, Arkumbe, Bereda and Bikiltu Shenkora kebeles, returnees reported that there has been no food distribution in the Figure 7. Access to Lopo site, Haro Limu woreda from Suge is by area of return. In Limu Woreda dirt road. Access is only possible in dry conditions and the location is Arkumbe 03 kebele, many underage not accessible by truck. children were observed working on the farms to support their families, and it is feared that some negative coping mechanisms might be used by returnees particularly women and girls. In Haro Limu Suge Kebele Lopo returnee site, key informant interviews indicated the distance of distribution site takes 2 hours on foot. Access to distribution sites in Suge Kebele is a major challenge for PLW and PLWDs and women are very vulnerable for SGBV on the way to distribution site and back. Women reported an incident of rape of a woman in Lopo site on her way back from the distribution site. In Limu Woreda Arkumbe kebele, an attempted rape incident in the bush where women collect firewood was reported.

Regarding access to shelter, except in Limu Woreda where there was limited damaged to homes, most of the returnees in Haro Limu Woreda are sheltered in partially burnt houses and open areas/under trees according to key informant interviews with government officials, and observations site. Some women in the return area have stated that they lack privacy in the current living condition and are exposed to SGBV and other forms of exploitation. The need of shelter in Haro Limu areas of returned is acute and requires immediate lifesaving action.

During the return process, there was no arrangement made for children (students) enrolled in schools in IDP sites to continue their education in the area of return. It was indicated in FGDs that many children enrolled in 1st cycle (grade 1 -4) have dropped out of school to return with their families. Many students above grade five also remained in the IDP areas where they were hosted to continue their education. Families who have capacity to rent houses and provide food for their children, left them in the place where they were enrolled in school and others keep their children with relatives.

With the current situation, the additional burden to support additional children has an adverse effect on the general vulnerability in the host community. In Gutu Gida Woreda, Kenaf Kebele, children have no access to school except for those who reached 8th grade. The school facilities in the areas of return were badly affected during the crisis and returnees are worried of their children’s future if school services are not

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

provided in the area of return. Women expressed lack of space for their children to play, or convenient playgrounds in the area of return. No facilities for children and women were observed in the areas of return.

In all areas of return, access to potable water is a critical problem as returnees are fetching water from unprotected water sources. In Limu, Bereda, Shenkora women and girls must walk long distances and some for more than one hour to fetch water from nearby stream. Except Limu Arkumbe 03 kebele, where there is access to unsafe and privacy-compromised locally constructed latrines, groups of women in Haro Limu return area have expressed fear of violence (SGBV) when seeking privacy for open defecation, fetching water from streams, and collecting firewood. Guto Gida transit sites also have open latrines with no privacy (Figure 9). Figure 8. Open latrine with no privacy in a transit site in Guto Gida. Women also expressed lack of NFIs and items to fetch water which affect their hygiene and increase workload. Some families must share the same cooking items in order to prepare a meal and women and girls do not have hygiene products.

The areas of return have high agricultural potential and some returnees have started land preparation, despite a lack of agriculture inputs and loss of cattle during the crisis. Men stated that oxen were a major asset in land preparation, but during the crisis many cattle were looted and killed. The assessment team observed how the returnees are struggling to support themselves as they have no means to start income generating activities. The main livelihood of the population is farming, and returnees lack the necessary agriculture inputs.

Before conflict, there was a common market where Gumuz and Oromo communities publicly met weekly to buy and trade goods. Women expressed the high need for income generating activities. They also expressed the need for dignity kits which include sanitary disposal pads, buckets, underwear and soap on top of the general NFIs and emergency shelter kits. The men expressed the urgent need of having seeds within two weeks as the planting season for maize is ending. Based on these findings, interventions in the areas of return should include a plan for emergency response, a recovery and resilience-building phase later in the process.

6.4. Recommendations • Emergency response to meet assessed critical needs for returnees must continue, including maintaining the monitoring of the protection concerns. • Protection partners to continue providing services started in IDP sites, ensuring that the self- protection capacities amongst the returnees’ communities are preserved. • Immediate multi-sector intervention is needed for returnees with the most urgent lifesaving intervention on food, shelter/NFI, WASH, and health. Particularly, ensure access to health care for people with specific needs, including pregnant women elderly and returnees with chronic diseases; provide dignity kits for women and girls as well as more (solar) lights to families for household use and accessing WASH facilities at night. • Protection partners should strive to continuously build on government peacebuilding and conflict resolution initiatives, strengthening existing peace committees with active community participation for reconciliation and relationship restoration. This can be achieved by enhancing the capacity of

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

peace committees, traditional and religious leaders, cross border government joint committees and institutions through trainings, dialogues and conferences. • Protection teams should prioritize the identification of the most vulnerable families, groups and individuals for the provision of socio-economic supports and referral to essential services through a case management system. • Family tracing and reunification (FTR) intervention is needed for those who are separated from their family members from the Child Protection partners. • Establishment of child-friendly and women-friendly spaces to prevent children from being exposed to protection risks. • Provide psychosocial support services to the most vulnerable returnee communities including children, women and elderly; • Although the return process is almost coming to an end, there is a need for strong, joint and sustained advocacy to the authorities to ensure the right to a safe and dignified return. 7. Water, Sanitation & Hygiene 7.1. Water Supply issues and recommendations Most of the returnees are accessing water from unprotected surface sources (spring and river) which are found at distances of more than an hour round trip. Some of the protected water schemes which are found closer to the border with Benishangul-Gumuz are not accessible due to community fears over the security. Out of the existing 12 protected water schemes, 7 of them are not functional due to mechanical problems (Figure 10). This includes a deep borehole with a distribution system in Arkumbe 01 kebele of Limu woreda. The status of the water schemes by site are summarized in Table 4. Additionally, the returnees don’t have Figure 9. Spring catchment requiring rehabilitation, Simentegna. adequate water containers for storing and transporting the water.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

Table 4. Summary of the status of existing water schemes in East Wollega Zone returnee sites.

Woreda kebele Functional water Non-Functional water schemes Remarks on non- visited Schemes functional

Arkumbe 1 deep borehole with distribution Problem with the None 01 system generator No protected water source in the kebele. However, a new water For a durable solution, scheme was started 3 yearsago by partners can plan to Limu the government but was not complete the remaining Arkumbe None completed due to a budget activities: generator 03 shortage. The water scheme is a house construction and deep borehole of 150m depth with 4 pump and generator l/s yield, 50m3 reservoir with a installation 1.5km pipeline and 6 water points. Collection chamber and Haro Suge None 1 on spot protected spring spring box need Limu maintenance Previously 311 HHs returnees from HHWTC supply, boiling Bareda were reported fetching the water/ filtration at HH Amistegna water from BG (Belo Jiganfoy None level. Durable solution: site woreda) but now they don’t have Construction of new access to clean water, only from a water scheme. river (unprotected) Biklitu EECMY has distributed Shankora WASH NFIs including The community are using an Kebele None soap; Jerrycan; water unprotected spring. (Balla treatment chemicals 3 village) days ago for 200 HHs.

Sasiga Bareedu 4 hand dug wells The hand pumps need 3 hand dug wells with hand pumps, Belo with hand pumps, maintenance

There is one protected spring but Shambelele women are Village: The hand pumps need reporting fear to 1 hand dug wells with hand pumps, Hora Wata maintenance access the water as Kebele it is closer to the border The spring needs some Simintegna None 1 on spot protected spring rehabilitation The hand pumps need 1 shallow well with hand pump maintenance Guto 1 shallow well with Kenaf The spring box and Gida hand pump 1 on spot spring collection chamber need rehabilitation

To address the water shortage at the returnee sites, immediate responses are needed through HHWTC distribution and promotion on HH water treatment and safe water handling at household level (boiling and filtration techniques), as well as maintenance and rehabilitation of the existing water schemes (hand pumps and on spot springs).

7.2. Sanitation and hygiene issues and recommendations Most of the returnees don’t have latrines and as a result the communities are practicing open defecation. In Bala village of Bikiltu Shankora kebele in Sasiga and Kanafi kebele of Guto Gida woreda, there are no

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019 latrines as the returnees are living in school compounds as transitional centers. Most of the HHs don’t have access to soap resulting in poor personal hygiene and skin infections/ scabies, as well as significant increase of dysentery/ diarrhea cases.There are no functional health facilities close to the returnees area as they were damaged / looted during the conflicts to resolve health issues. In some areas like Arkumbe 03 and Baredu Belo kebeles, the returnees have HH latrines, but they don’t have hand washing facilities. For more detail information by site on sanitation and hygiene facilities see Table 5.

Table 5. Summary of Sanitation and Hygiene Practices Findings and recommendations.

Woreda Kebele Sanitation and hygiene practices Recommendations observed • The returnees are practicing open • Sanitation and hygiene promotion and defecation, scabies are reported from the Provision of WASH NFI including dignity Arkumbe community and there are no soaps for the kits. 01 households. • Construction of institutional latrines. • HC and school latrines were damaged • Supply and installation of EmWat kit during the conflict. Limu • Sanitation and hygiene promotion, • The returnees have latrines but there is Provision of WASH NFI including dignity scabies in the community and there are no kits and provision of hand washing Arkumbe soaps for the households. facilities. 03 • Health post and school latrines are • Construction of institutional latrines (for damaged. health post and schools). • Supply and installation of EmWat kit • The community is practicing open • Sanitation and hygiene promotion, Haro Suge defecation, poor hygiene conditions and Provision of WASH NFI including dignity Limu there are no soaps for the households. kits. • The community don’t have latrines, practicing open defecation. Significant • Targeted distribution of WASH NFIS, Amistegna increase of diarrheas cases, dysentery and Sanitation and hygiene promotion and site skin infections are reported. Provision of WASH NFI including dignity • No Soap available, not enough WASH kits. NFIs including for storage and transport. Bikiltu • Construction of communal emergency • No latrines as 96 HHs are living in school Shankora latrines in transition center (school). • compound. Kebele Sanitation and hygiene promotion at HH • Significant Increase of dysentery/ (Balla level. Provision of WASH NFI including diarrheas, and skin infections are reported. village) dignity kits.

Sasiga • Household latrines are present but no • Sanitation and Hygiene promotion, Bareedu WASH NFIs at HH level. The WASH NFIs provision of WASH NFIs including Belo are available in the market but the HHs don’t dignity kits (not as blanket distribution, have cash to buy them. but with clear selection criteria).

Shambelele • Sanitation and hygiene promotion at Village: • No sanitation (latrines) and no access to HH level and provision of WASH NFIs Hora Wata soap and WASH NFIs including dignity kits. Kebele • Sanitation and hygiene promotion at • No Latrines in Simetegna and no access to HH level and provision of WASH NFI Simintegna soap and WASH NFIs. including dignity kits targeting HH who lost shelters and NFIs.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

Woreda Kebele Sanitation and hygiene practices Recommendations observed • Latrines available at HH level; only Family • Sanitation and hygiene promotion, who lost their shelters (250 HHs) don’t have communal latrine construction. Guto Kenaf access to latrines. These people are living in • WASH NFIs distribution Gida a school as transition sites and need WASH targeting HH who lost their shelters and facilities. NFIs during conflict.

Sanitation and hygiene promotion as well as WASH NFIs material must be immediately supplied to the returnees, not as blanket distribution, but with clear selection criteria. Close monitoring of WASH related diseases should be made by both Health and WASH partners. For the returnees in the transitional centers construction of emergency latrines should be prioritized.

7.3. General WASH Recommendations • Most of returnees are using unprotected water sources. Immediate responses are needed through HHWTC distribution and promotion on HH water treatment and safe water handling at household level (boiling and filtration techniques). The maintenance and rehabilitation of non-functional hand pumps and on spot springs should be undertaken immediately and the mid-term plan should include sustainable solutions such as rehabilitation of motorized water schemes. In some locations, durable solutions are needed through drilling of new boreholes and water scheme construction. • For sanitation, immediate responses include construction of emergency latrines in transit shelters, for example in Guto Gida woreda Kanafe site where HH who lost their shelter are temporarily lving in a school. Promotion of sanitation at HH level and CLTS programme can be undertaken by development partners as a long-term strategy. • Most HHs don’t have access to soap and have limited containers to transport and store water. WASH NFIs must be immediately distributed, not as blanket distribution, but with clear selection criteria. Close monitoring of WASH related diseases must take place between Health and WASH partners and a hygiene promotion strategy must be defined accordingly. • As mid-term response, it is recommended to assess institutional WASH facilities and respond accordingly. • In depth assessments need to be undertaken by WASH partners in all returns sites as many sites were not visited during this assessment. If 2nd displacements are taking place, close monitoring is required and response for new IDPs should take place without restriction. • Considering the current rainy season and poor WASH conditions in some return villages, the WASH and Health clusters need to formulate contingency plans for preparedness and response of AWD outbreak, considering the capacity and resources of WASH and health partners and mapping risk of diarrheal epidemics. • At sites where the IDPs have left, proper decommissioning of emergency latrines, sanitation and hygiene promotion and demobilization of WASH facilities should be made in collaboration with woreda health and water offices. 8. Conclusion An inter-agency multi-sectoral rapid needs assessment is a time bound and daunting exercise, bringing together all the different stakeholders to plan, implement and arrive at a common conclusion. Under the leadership of the zonal administration, this joint exercise has not only demonstrated the excellent coordination between the humanitarian community and the government authorities in East Wollega, but also puts the latter at the forefront in addressing the humanitarian concerns for and needs of its affected population. This assessment has allowed the humanitarian actors and the government to get a better understanding of the humanitarian needs of returnees and to identify feasible and appropriate interventions for a sustainable return.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

Apart from humanitarian response, the recommendations provided could also serve for future longer-term or recovery programming. The implication of relevant government bureaus such as health, education, water, agriculture, youth and women’s affairs etc. is critical for the returnees’ response in order to lay the foundation for durable solutions and recovery. However, these efforts will not be achieved without peace and reconciliation. We conclude therefore by calling on humanitarian and development partners to equally support the government’s peace and reconciliation initiative which offers an excellent opportunity to harness collective action towards promoting the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, building lasting peace and resilience in the affected communities.

9. Recommendations

A summary of the key recommendations for all the sectors covered in this assessment include:

ES/NFI

• Immediate ESNFI response, comprising an emergency shelter kit and NFI kit to provide lifesaving protection from the weather and other hazards is needed. • Shelter repair kit comprising of CGI, nails and cash for local materials should be provided to those whose homes are partially or completely damaged but residing with relatives or community buildings or in their partially damaged homes. Where markets contain repair items and NFIs, cash for repairs or NFIs would be preferable. • Returnees renting in their Kebeles of origin may also benefit from cash for rent until livelihood activities are resumed. While school-aged children split from their families and residing with relatives or host communities on rental basis would benefit from a cash for rent response, to support their sheltering until the school year is complete.

Protection

• Maintain the monitoring of protection concerns that started in IDP sites to ensure access to services for people with specific needs, including pregnant women, elderly and returnees with chronic diseases and providing dignity kits for women and girls. • Identify the most vulnerable families and individuals for the provision of socio-economic supports and referral to essential services (referral pathways for GBV cases and SGBV) through a case management system. • Further investigation on the numbers of unaccompanied/separated children should be undertaken and referral mechanisms including family tracing and reunification (FTR) intervention should be established. • Establish child-friendly and WFS spaces to prevent children from being exposed to protection risks. • Provide psychosocial support services to children and other vulnerable returnees affected by the conflict. • Support the government’s peace and reconciliation initiative by strengthening existing peace committees with active participation of the affected communities.

Water and Sanitation

• Immediate responses are needed through HHWTC distribution and promotion of household water treatment and safe water handling at household level (boiling and filtration techniques). • Repair of existing hand pumps and on spot springs must take place immediately and the mid-term plan should include sustainable solution such as rehabilitation of motorized water scheme. In some locations, durable solution is needed through drilling of new borehole and water scheme construction.

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Multisectoral Rapid Needs Assessment – Returnees – East Wollega Zone, May 2019

• Emergency latrines should be constructed where people are still living in community shelters and hygiene awareness campaign should be implemented (engaging communities) to improve practices of handling and storing water to minimize the risk of contamination. • Water points and adequate sanitation facilities should be provided to the community in school facilities. • Regular monitoring of the water quality should be undertaken in coordination with woreda authorities, together with chlorination of water sources or water points. • Basic hygiene items (soap, detergents) and water containers should be provided along with hygiene promotion activities to improve personal hygiene practices among the community. • Decommissioning of emergency latrines and demobilization of WASH facilities in IDP sites and collective centers that were closed should be carried out in consultation with zone and woreda authorities.

Health, Nutrition and Food

• Provide mobile health services and establish mobile clinic in return areas as a matter of urgency. • Rehabilitate or maintain health facilities, providing them with medical equipment and essential drugs and supply of supplementary food (CSB++ and RUSF) • Immediate food distribution including pulses, maize, and oil supplements as well as supplementing cooking materials. • Surveillance of malnutrition should be activated, conducting nutritional screening for children U5 and PLW and providing adequate treatment to malnourished children within the community • Provide insecticide-treated mosquito net (INT) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) to returnees as effective malaria control measure.

Education

• In collaboration with woreda authorities, rehabilitate existing school facilities in return areas and mobilize sufficient number of teachers and school personnel in order to accommodate more pupils. • Provide wash facilities (water points and toilets), school furniture and materials for teaching and learning. • Awareness campaigns on the importance of education and school enrolment with communication and information on back to school activities disseminated in the community

Agriculture and Livelihood

• Promote livelihood and income generating activities through agriculture as a majority of the returnees are famers, providing them with agricultural inputs including seeds, tools, fertilizers and oxen for ploughing which are critical for productivity. • Restore relationship among farmers in the communities on both sides of the border to reinvigorate the cross-border farming traditions including sharecropping practices which have been prevailing in these communities for many years.

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