UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
EMERGEINCIES UNIT FOR ETHIOPIA
Reports Prepared by the EUE in 1996
This list includes both reports that have been prepared for general distribution and those for internal use and those with restricted distribution. Such reports are marked (INTERNAL) or (RESTRICTED). Please bear in mind that their distribution outside the UN is based on individual requests and is subject to review by the UNDP/EUE.
January
Retrospective: a special bulletin prepared by EUE on the situation in Ethiopia during 1995; prepared by EUE Information Officer, Leila Pakkala: This special edition newsletter is an end of the year review of the major issues of 1995 in Ethiopia. Includes the following pieces: relief operations and development issues in Ethiopia; review of the Emergency Food Security Reserve; existing coordinating mechanisms in the country; Are Based Development Programme and its relation to the Government's National Policy on Disaster Prevention and Preparedness; the prioritisation of Employment Generation Schemes; progress of the 1995 agricultural seasons - the belg and meher seasons, food deficit areas in 1995, pest outbreaks and fertiliser sales; a brief review of the situation in the traditionally vulnerable regions of the country throughout 1995; brief review of non-food issues; UN activities in support of the revitalisation of IGADD; Government's commemoration of the 1984/85 famine; the International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction - events in Ethiopia; the Government's 1996 appeal process - a brief overview.
Field Trip Report of the Post Harvest Situation in Tigray and Amhara Regions - a brief overview of the situation in the two regions of Tigray and Amhara; prepared by EUE Field Officer Admassu H/Yesus: A mission to the North and South Welo zones of the Amhara National Regional State organised following reports of crop damage resulting from the unseasonal pre-belg (short season) rainfall that occurred since the first dekad of December 1995 throughout northern parts of Ethiopia.
Conditions faced by the Relic Returnee Population in Gode Zone, Ethiopian Somali National Regional State - A Situation Report and Analysis; prepared by EUE Consultant, Dr. Ahmed Farah Yusuf: This brief study is based on a short visit paid by the author to Gode town in Gode zone of the Ethiopian Somali National Regional State (formerly known as Region 5), for a period of one week starting 10 December, 1995. The author is a social anthropologist who speaks fluent Somali and has intimate knowledge of the Somali society and its culture. The study reviews the situation of the residual camp population at sites on the periphery of the town. This "relic" population remaining in the old camps at Gode town probably form the most vulnerable group in the Somali National Region. Not engaged in the productive sector of the local economy or in urban employment and trade, they eke out a precarious living from low income activities. Withdrawal of humanitarian assistance without putting in place mechanisms which could help secure access to basic necessities for survival, has exposed them to the vagaries of the local market. Continuing instability in southern Somalia, the prolonged closure of the seaport and airport of Mogadishu, combined with recent poor rains over much of southern Somalia, has led to a significant increase in food prices over the last few months. This has eroded the purchasing power of the urban poor and caused the rapid marginalization of a significant portion of the local population. Though food is available, the loss of market access among the poor has led to deteriorating food security and signs of impending starvation.
Situation Report on Region 2 (Afar National Regional State); a background paper on the region; prepared by EUE Consultant Matt Bryden: A mission report from UNDP-EUE, MSF Switzerland, and the Afar Relief Association (ARA) visited the north-eastern sector (Zone 1 and part of Zone 2) of the Afar National Regional State (Region 2) from 5-23 December 1995. The mission met with members of the administration, traditional elders, and various members of civil society. The paper is a review of the existing situation in the Afar National Regional State (Region 2), a poignant testimony to the emptiness of past commitments, by both governments and aid agencies, to the development of Ethiopia. It discusses the region's historical neglect and relative underdevelopment that implies a legacy of imperial exploitation and exclusion from whatever progress other parts of the country have enjoyed. Furthermore, Bryden looks at the vast majority of the Afar population, perhaps 80% or more of whom are nomads, that have seen virtually no improvement in living standards for decades, if not centuries. The report portrays an area where health services, education, water development, are all woefully inadequate and, in fact, in most of the region do not exist at all.
February
January Monthly Situation Report for Ethiopia: prepared by the EUE Information Section from information provided by the UN agencies and NGOs: a brief overview of the current situation in the country from a humanitarian perspective. The report includes: Overview of emergency needs and operations; political developments; issues relating to disaster prevention, preparedness and mitigation; food aid and logisitics; agriculture and progress of the cropping seasons; health and nutrition (emergency); epidemics; refugee and returnee operations and security.
Horn of Africa Calendar of Events: an updated version of the Calendar of Events and meeting taking place between January and June 1996; covers only those events that are related to the Horn of Africa and specifically the IGADD sub-region; prepared by EUE Information Section
Ethiopia Calendar of Events: an updated version of the Calendar of events and meetings taking place in Ethiopia between January and June 1996; prepared by EUE information section
Briefing Notes on Somalia and Somaliland - prepared by EUE consultant Matt Bryden: a brief overview of the progress of situation in Somalia and Somaliland, political issues, peace prospects and clashes - this report is an update of the report prepared by the author in November 1995 on the same topic.
Socio-economic conditions of the population in Liben zone, Ethiopian Somali National Regional State - a situation report and analysis; prepared by EUE Consultant, Dr. Ahmed Farah Yusuf: This socio-economic examination of Liban zone in the Ethiopian Somali National Regional State, is primarily based on field data the author collected during a 13 day study tour to the area starting 9 January 1996. General observation of the conditions prevailing in all the districts of the zone, supplemented with information elicited from informal interviews held with local leaders, agro-pastoralists, nomads, and district officials, provide the bulk of the primary data.
The study is the second in a series of planned research activities that aim to cover all the 9 zonal units that make up the administrative framework of the Ethiopian Somali National Regional State, a little known and often misrepresented predominantly pastoral region at the eastern periphery of the country. The study seeks to generate basic socio-economic data that is vital for regional planning and development, and also critically examines the conditions affecting the survival of vulnerable groups in the urban and rural areas of Liban zone. For comparative purposes the previous study on Gode zone will be frequently referred to in the present study.
Situation report on Welayita and North Omo zone; prepared by EUE Field Officers Ralph Klingele and Admassu H/Yesus: an update on the post harvest situation in Welayita and North Omo. A report prepared as the result of a short mission to Welayita and North Omo to observe the food situation and future food prospects in the area. In general, with good agricultural seasons in 1995 (belg, kiremt and zape rains), the actual food prospects are better than that of 1994. Nevertheless, pocket areas mainly in the lowlands and dry mid-highlands experienced adverse climatic conditions and will face food shortages during the coming five to six months.
The report reviews a food insecure area where endemic structural food deficit, its progressive trend over the last years due to ever increasing land pressure and the depletion of productive assets, has resulted in a population that is highly vulnerable. This, combined with adverse climatic conditions, epidemics in humans and animals and pest outbreaks, will leave thousands of households with potential food shortages for several months a year, even after a good agricultural year and despite existing copping strategies. This is an area where a single good year is not sufficient to reverse these negative trends, especially in an area where the agricultural potential is nearly exhausted. As a consequence, there is a persistent need for relief and rehabilitation measures to avoid emergencies, further impoverishment of the rural population and a subsequent increase in vulnerability.
Situation report on Tigray and Amhara Regions; prepared by EUE Field Officer, Hans Spiess: a review of the situation in the two traditionally vulnerable regions of the country. A report based on a field trip undertaken to assess the situation in the vulnerable areas of the two regions after the completion of the harvest. A review of the overall picture that shows an increased crop production in the two regions in comparison to the previous year. Visits to zones and pocket areas in the northern highlands reveal that some remain food deficit in need of relief interventions. Relief distributions have already had to be started in some places due to precarious conditions. In the Amhara Region, the needy areas include the entire Wag Hamra zone, the highland weredas of North and South Welo zones, the areas bordering the Tekeze Basin in North and South Gonder zones and the northern weredas of North Shewa zone. In Tigray Region, the report looks at the unfavourable conditions reported from a number of weredas in the Eastern zone, pockets in the eastern Central and Southern zone and Dima wereda, located at the northern foothills of the Simien mountains.
(INTERNAL)
Concept Paper: Outline of a Proposed Strategy for UNICEF Engagement in Ethiopia's Afar Region;a brief outline and stategy paper for interventions in the Afar region - paper submitted to UNICEf for revision and presentation as an overall stategy document; Matt Bryden, UNDP / EUE Consultant.
(INTERNAL)
The Search for a Peaceful Solution to Fighting in "Somaliland": an interim report by EUE anthropologist Dr. Ahmed Farah: This report reviews the peacemaking process unfolding in Somaliland under the auspices of the "Peace Committee for Somaliland", from the time of presenting the Peace Proposal at Addis Ababa on November 2, 1995, to agreeing to work together in a search for a peaceful solution to the latest round of violence in the Northwest. The report also reviews the active participation of the independent and neutral committee of intellectuals based abroad in this process from November to date.
March
February Monthly Situation Report for Ethiopia; prepared by the EUE Information Section from information provided by the UN agencies and NGOs: a brief overview of the current situation in the country from a humanitarian perspective. The report includes: Overview of emergency needs and operations; political developments; issues relating to disaster prevention, preparedness and mitigation; food aid and logisitics; agriculture and progress of the cropping seasons; health and nutrition (emergency); epidemics; refugee and returnee operations and security.
(INTERNAL)
The Final Report on the Database on the UN Projects in the Horn of Africa: prepared by EUE consultant, Ian Attfield: The report reviews the process by which the UNDP-EUE assisted the UN agencies in the Horn of Africa in establishing a consolidated database on UN activities in the Horn. It explains how information was entered into a database and that it can be used in a number of ways to assist the UN system in identifying gaps as well as common programming areas, harmonising programmes between countries and better utilising the limited resources available to the UN system. *This database is now being distributed to interested parties including UN agencies, the IGADD Secretariat, donors and NGOs. A mechanism has been incorporated in the database to allow UN agenices to amend and transfer their data in order to maintain a central up to date version.
Field Trip Report to North Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region; prepared by EUE Field Officer, Admassu H/Yesus: Prepared on the basis of a short field trip was carried out to North Gondar in the Amhara National Regional State by the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNDP Emergencies Unit to verify reports of stress migrations from North Gondar in the Ethiopian Herald on the 12th of February 1996. The report reviews the implications of the current drought conditions induced by the early cessation of the main (meher) rains forcing 10,540 farmers to migrate to neighbouring zones.
Field Trip to Borena Zone of the Oromiya Region, by EUE Field Officer Admassu H/Yessus: A short field trip to Borena Zone of the Oromiya Region conducted by the EUE 13-21 March, 1996. The purpose of the trip was to follow-up on information obtained from CARE International in Ethiopia about food shortages in the four weredas of Yabelo, Teltele Arero and Dirri in Borena zone (Oromiya Region). Accordingly, the team visited the two weredas of Yabelo and Dirri and held discussions with governmental and non-governmental organisations regarding the current situation in these weredas.
(INTERNAL)
A proposal for the creation of a unit in support of the UN Resident Coordinator, by EU Deputy Coordinator, Mark Bidder
(INTERNAL)
Sasakawa annual award 1996 - nomination of CRDA; a paper on behalf of the uN Resident Coordinator nominating CRDA for the DHA/UNDRO award; by Information Officer, Leila Pakkala
April
March Monthly Situation Report for Ethiopia; prepared by the EUE Information Section from information provided by the UN agencies and NGOs: a brief overview of the current situation in the country from a humanitarian perspective. The report includes: overview of emergency needs and operations; political developments; development issues; food aid and logisitics; agriculture and progress of the cropping seasons; the belg producing areas (a synopsis); health and nutrition (emergency); epidemics; and interagency co-operation.
Striga: The parasitic weed and its relation to poverty; prepared by EUE agriculturalist, Dr. Robert Shank: The report provides a backgroud to the parasitic weed, Striga, that has caused extensive loss of cropland productivity in the drought-affected, food deficit areas of Northern Ethiopia. It focuses on the inter-relationships of Striga infestation with poverty and food shortages, as well as exploring their costs and solutions. Furthermore, it shows that even though inputs of chemical fertiliser and herbicides have low marginal returns in drought prone areas, Striga effects and food deficits could be substantially reduced by other developments, both practical and under study. Recommendations include a review of how use of resistant crop varieties along with farmer commitment to `trapping' crop rotation and elimination of Striga seed production could restore land productivity over time commitment of resources is made to Striga controlling inputs, farmer education and food assistance during the land recovery period.
Field Trip Report to Amhara Region and Tigray Regions: prepared by EUE Field Officer Hans Spies; field trip report to Amhara Region to review the current situation in the two regions and progress of the belg: A report of the field trip undertaken to assess the general conditions in the food-deficit areas in the Amhara Region and to obtain information on the progress of the belg rains in the Southern zone of Tigray Region, North Welo, South Welo, Oromia and North Shewa zones of Amhara Region.
Report on the Peace and Development Conference in Jigjiga 10-13 March 1996: prepared by EUE anthropologist, Dr. Ahmed Farah: an overview of the objectives and main issues discussed at the Jigjiga conference. A four-day peace and development conference of the Ethiopian Somali Regional State was held in Jijiga between 10-13 March. The meeting, which was attended by representatives and elders from zones and weredas throughout the region, was organised primarily to discuss peace and security problems impeding regional progress and to consolidate mechanisms for the overall development of the region. Also emphasised by the meeting was the relationship between development endeavours in the region and security problems. The meeting placed particular emphasis on the need for wider participation of members of all ethnic groups in infrastructural strengthening throughout the region. This report reviews these issues and provides an objective analysis.
Field Trip to Borena zone of the Oromiya Region: prepared by EUE Field Officer Admassu H/Yesus: The report reviews a short field trip to Borena Zone of the Oromiya Region conducted by the United Nations Development Programme - Emergencies Unit from 13 to 21, March 1996. The purpose of the trip was to follow-up on information obtained from CARE International in Ethiopia about food shortages in four weredas of Yabello, Teltele Arero and Dirri in Borena zone of the Oromiya Region. Visits were carried out to the two weredas of Yabello and Dirri and discussions were held with governmental and non-governmental organisations regarding the current situation in these weredas.
Calendar of Events: the April update of the Horn of Africa Calendar of Event; prepared by the EUE Information Section
Information note on emerging drought conditions in North-west Somalia (Somaliland) and the Ethiopian Somali National Regional State; by EUE Field Officer Matt Bryden; the brief note indicates the possibility of serious conditions emerging in Somaliland and the Ethiopian Somali Region as a result of unsaisfactory rains.
Field Trip Report to Welayita and North Omo; a brief outline of the current situation in Welayita, progress of the belg season and ongoing employment generation schemes; prepared by EUE Field Officers Ralph Klingele and Michael Fritsche; The report briefly reviews the progress of short (belg) rains, which although starting with a delay of two to three weeks, have so far been good. Special attention should be given to armyworm infestations this year, given the cyclical tendency of outbreaks. Livestock is generally in good condition. With a generally good agricultural season in 1995, the stress period in 1996 has been somewhat shortened, extending from April to June/July. The actual nutritional status is good but will deteriorate if adequate measures are not taken. This year's food deficit is mainly structural and will affect to some extent approximately 20% to 30% of the Welayita population. It would be important to keep relief resources as high as needed to avoid recurrent rehabilitation needs, which regularly annihilate development efforts. In this regard it is good to notice that the revised relief assistance requirements show an increment of nearly 40% over to the 1996 appeal figures (see EWS report: 1996 Food Supply Situation, March 96). Together with inputs from NGOs, however, the 1996 food deficit can be expected to be fully covered.
(INTERNAL)
The functions and activities of the UN-DMT, prepared for the UN Resident Coordinator by EUE Deputy Coordinator, Mark Bidder (April)
(INTERNAL)
Discussion paper on possible "Programming Approaches for UN Agencies in the Somali Region; jointly prepared by EUE Field Officers Matt Bryden and Ahmed Farah
(RESTRICTED)
Somaliland at the Crossroads: Five years of Independence - an analysis of the situation in North-west Somalia "Somaliland" prepared by Matt Bryden (29 April)
Field Trip Report to East and West Hararghe Zones: a brief overview of the current situation in the two zones of the Oromiya Region prepared by EUE Field Officer, Admassu H/Yesus (28 April)
April Situation Report for Ethiopia: monthly situation report prepared by the Information Section of the EUE from information obtained from UN and NGOs (2 May)
(PAGEMEAKER DOCUMENT)
Horn of Africa - The Monthly Review: the first in a series of monthly reviews on the general situation in the countries of the Horn; prepared by the Information Section of the EUE from information from media and other secondary sources (2 May)