UNITED NATIONS  DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia

Technical Implementation Group 1:Liben and Afder Administrative Zone

Before travelling to Dollo for the start of the rehabilitation programme, some preparatory work involving transport arrangements would have to be made. UN-EUE had already agreed to purchase from Gode State Farm 350 tons of maize seed, 150 tons for NCA, and the balance (200 tons) for the use of the dispersal programme. It was necessary to organise the transportation of the majority of this seed from Gode to an as yet non existent storage facility in Haregele, and initially, one convoy load to Dollo for the use of NCA (49 tons)

TOR/GTZ were to be the major transport operator for the programme and on arrival of the UN-EUE team members in Gode on 23.2.94 a meeting was arranged with Ato Makonnen Desta, the manager for TOR in Gode, who proved to be extremely helpful and efficient. TOR have seven short haul Mercedes trucks with a capacity of 7 tons each in Gode which we found to be in very good condition. The fuel situation was good with 6000 litres in stock, a further 4000 litres arriving shortly from Kabri Dahar, and sufficient fuel available for the rest of the program. A road crew to travel with the convoy was arranged consisting of a chief mechanic, electrician, and a welder along with a wide selection of spare parts.

A meeting was held with Abdi Nurfey, the RRC representative for the Afder zone, where the objectives of the dispersal programme were explained and discussed. He said that he didn't believe that the roads that the Technical Implementation Group (TIG) intended to use presented any security problems, although he felt it would be a good idea for him to travel with the first convoy along with 3 or 4 local militia. This was agreed and he was asked to make the necessary arrangements. Later, a meeting was held with Idris Hussen Osman, the acting region 5 RRC representative. He was very keen to assist the TIG, however his associate, an auditor called Mohammed seemed less than cooperative and demanded that we supply written evidence of the intended dispersal programme in Gode, Dollo and Haregele. This request was passed on to Addis Ababa, although it was planned that a rehabilitation programme meeting involving senior RRC and UN staff would be held in Gode shortly.

Information was received that there were possibly around 6,000 hand tools in the RRC store in Gode. This is mostly made up of hoes with handles, although there are some pick axes, small shovels, sledge hammers, sickles, axes, and bush knives. There is, however, no inventory and the tools are not organized.

On Thursday 24.2.94 UN-EUE Field Officer, Brian Cox, handed to Girma Meles of Gode State Farm a copy of the contract which clearly stated that GSF would supply the United Nations with 3500 quintals of maize of the Kalafo variety at an agreed price of Birr 86 per quintal, including bag, for distribution in the Afder and Liben zones of Region 5. Later that day Girma Meles left Gode for Addis, leaving a man called Saluh in charge.

Dr Abdi Kalif of SERP and the UN-EUE met on 25.2.94 in Gode. The rehabilitation and dispersal programme was discussed in detail and the areas where SERP may be able to assist were identified. It was agreed that it would be a good idea to send 1 or 2 members of his staff to Haregele in order to assist the dispersees with advice and practical help in the areas of livestock and agriculture. Dr Abdi Kalif agreed to send one staff member and possibly two on the second seed convoy.

Whilst in Gode UN-EUE met with some private truckers to explore the possibly of supplementing the seven TOR trucks that were ready. Five trucks in reasonably good condition were available, each with a capacity of 10 tons. The truckers were happy to work directly for the UN, but not for TOR as they had experienced problems getting their money on previous occasions. For the trip to Haregele they quoted a price of Birr 85 per quintal, justifying the high cost with accounts of how bad the road was and the fact that there are no loads available for the return journey. After further meetings and much discussion, it a price of Birr 65 per quintal was provisionally agreed, with enough fuel to complete the trip as a down payment, the cost of which would be deducted from the contract sum. This information was passed to UN-EUE Addis Ababa for approval, and was later received.

On 3.3.94 UN-EUE and TIG field staff were present at a meeting in Gode chaired by Dr Mohammed Mahmud, the deputy chairman of the region 5 administration. Also present were senior representatives of the RRC, ARRA, the UN agencies, local administration etc. We were briefed by Dr Kiflemariam Amdamariam, chairman of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) of the objectives of the proposed dispersal and rehabilitation programme and appraised of the coordinating structure at the regional and zonal level. In particular, the mandate and responsibilities of the Senior Programme Operations Team (SPOT) to be established in Gode was described and discussed. It was agreed that the administration would assign an official to chair the SPOT and that the RRC would act as the secretariat. UNHCR, UN-EUE, UNICEF, ARRA and line bureaux would be present as members. Dr Mohammed also agreed that the administration would assist in identifying suitable office accommodation for the SPOT in Gode.

Although TIG 1 is intended to be based in Haregele, there are presently no suitable facilities available, so the group is temporarily based in the UN compound in Dollo. On arrival on Friday 4.3.94 a meeting was held and the TIG was formally established with the following members:
 

RRC - Co-ordinator Bizuayehu Kebede
ARRA - Technical supervision & monitoring Filmon Juta
ARRA - " " Girma
UNHCR - Programme planning Zacharias
UNHCR - " Nuru
UN-EUE - Information and reporting Brian Cox
UN-EUE - " " Admassu H/Yesus

Representatives of SERP and the zonal administration are expected to join the TIG later but are presently unavailable. Also present at this meeting were Ato Nebiat - TOR/GTZ, and Ato Israel from MSF Holland.

In order that the dispersement of the returnees and displaced peoples can begin and run smoothly, the pre-positioning of basic inputs to a central distribution point and initially its establishment, is crucial to the success of the programme, and therefore the primary task of the TIG.

It was explained to the TIG that UN-EUE had recently contractually agreed to purchase from Gode State Farm 350 tons of maize, the first 150 tons of which had been purchased on behalf of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) for use in their programme of distribution, and the balance for use of the rehabilitation program. We had already delivered 49 tons of maize to NCA in Dollo, which leaves 101 tons owing at this time.

The TIG decided to travel to Haregele (the designated central distribution site) to co-ordinate the establishment of the basic facilities required, and to assess other needs and its suitability as a reintegration area and/or transit point. Basic facilities are storage, to take the form of a 500 ton Rubb Hall, a useable airstrip, and an office/compound. A new Rubb Hall which would arrive in Dollo on Saturday 5.3.94 would travel to Haregele with the TIG team, and its construction co-ordinated with the help of Ato Israel from MSF Holland (at a reasonable cost), Arno Mulders, the MSF logistician, one other staff member, and local labour. The airstrip, which was already in existence, would require only slight attention to clear debris, and some smoothing. The compound would have to be built from scratch using as much local material as possible, but some materials would have to be brought in, possibly from Cheritti or Dollo, along with some excess stock from the UN compound in Dollo, and some new equipment to be purchased. The TIG considered the suitability of Cheritti as an alternative central distribution point because of its better road connections, however, Haregele is less than one hours drive away, it has a good airstrip, and it is the administrative centre for the zone. Ato Filmon Juta from ARRA would stay in Dollo and attend to preliminary re-registration arrangements.

Whilst in Dollo the TIG met with the local administration and fully explained the rehabilitation and dispersal programme. However, they had some concerns regarding the people of Dollo and previous programs arranged by UNHCR, but seemed to be satisfied after a further meeting the following morning with TIG, after explanations from Nuru and Zacharias.

Later the same day the TIG met and agreed on duties and responsibilities for its members, to set up a work plan for the week on Sundays (worked out by UNHCR members), to centralize expenditure and keep a full record of finances - to be the responsibility of the Co-ordinator.

The TIG was concerned about a small infestation of weevils in the seed delivered to NCA in Dolo and stored in the MSF Rubb Hall. Nuru checked and said that only a small amount of treatment was required. Addis was contacted and recommended that the remainder of the consignment be checked.

The TIG team travelled to Haregele via Kolle, Burkale, El Koran and Afder, approx 221 km. The road was extremely bad, causing serious damage to two of the vehicles, with a journey time of over nine hours. The return journey was Haregele, Cheritti, Kollie Bridge, Dollo - a distance of 216 km which took 5-6 hours, and although the road is far from ideal, it is the preferred route. However, with heavy rain, both routes would quickly become unusable.

The TIG team met with the local administration in Haregele and fully described the dispersal programme which received a warm welcome. The administration said that they and the local people were ready to help in any way that they could. The administration later provided assistance in selecting sites for the Rubb Hall and the proposed compound, and also arranged labour for erecting the Rubb Hall and fence, and clearance of the airstrip. It was made clear to the administration by the TIG co-ordinator that the labour for the small amount of runway clearance required and the construction of the basic Rubb Hall fence would be settled on a food-for-work basis. With these works well underway and under the co-ordination of MSF Holland, the TIG travelled to Cheritti, 40km away, for a reintegration assessment.

In Cheritti the TIG team met with the local administration and informed them of the project. It was explained that Cheritti would be receiving its own people along with some new settlers. They said that they were happy to welcome the people back and even give back farming land, they also have some good areas to settle the new people. The administration were told that the TIG would not just be supporting the dispersees, and that the local people would also benefit, especially from the clinics, schools, water systems and small business development projects that are included as part of the overall programme. The meeting went very well, and after further discussions with local elders and officials the TIG team returned to Dollo.

While the team was away from Dollo, Ato Filmon Juta attempted to arrange the start of the re-registration process, but this failed to work satisfactorily. In any case, on Thursday 10.3.94, during a visit from Addis Ababa, Dr Kiflemariam of the RRC informed the TIG that the re-registration was not necessary, and to continue the programme without it. During this meeting, the problems with financial support that the TIG had experienced was reported.

On 13.3.94, a truck carrying a consignment of hand tools purchased in Addis for the programme arrived in Dollo. After refuelling, it continued its journey and arrived in Haregele on 15.3.94 where the tools were unloaded and stored in the Rubb Hall.

MSF will return to Haregele to co-ordinate the construction of the compound when all the necessary materials have arrived there, possibly within the next three weeks, and probably at the same time construct a shallow well in the area.

On 17.3.94 Admassu H/Yesus amd Brian Cox of UN-EUE visited Haregele and were able to confirm that 141 tons of maize seed had arrived from Gode and was stacked in the Rubb Hall.

On 18.3.94 a meeting of the NCC was held at the RRC offices in Addis chaired by Dr Kiflemariam, with representatives from ARRA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN-EUE and WFP, to discuss progress of the dispersal programme to date. The RRC was concerned that the movement of people had not yet begun. It was explained that the food being arranged by WFP had not yet arrived in Haregele. The meeting was assured by Ben Martinson of WFP that the first convoy carrying food should arrive at its destination by Thursday 23.3.94.

Members of the TIG present at the meeting also explained that despite several attempts to arrange a meeting with the zonal administration, this had so far been unsuccessful, and that it was fully understood that this meeting should take place before the reintegration programme in Afder Zone commenced. Dr Kiflemariam said he would attempt to contact them and arrange a meeting, however this may take some time and it was indicated that the TIG ought to be looking at El Medo as the first reintegration site instead of Cheritti (the TIGs preferred site) as this had already been discussed with the regional authorities and the potential for clan conflict was much less in this area.

Transit food was also a concern of both the NCC and TIG and it was arranged that UN-EUE field staff would return to Dollo on 21.3.94 with at least enough food in the form of high energy biscuits for one convoy, and that further supplies would be sent as soon as possible.

A list of materials and equipment considered necessary for the office and compound in Haregele was prepared and given to the RRC for their consideration.

On arrival back in Dollo on 21.3.94, MSF Holland told the UN-EUE field staff that they had had reports of cases of acute diarrhoea, possibly cholera, in Cheritti. It was thought that some of the people with the disease had recently travelled from Mandera, Kenya. MSF had already sent medical teams to Cheritti, Suftu and Bare to assess the situation, and were awaiting their reports, which would in turn be passed on to the TIG as a serious health situation could obviously have a significant effect on the rehabilitation program.

Also on 21.3.94, the chairman of the TIG, Ato Bizuayehu, was able to get confirmation by radio that members of the zonal administration would be leaving Gode soon and should be arriving in Dollo on 23.3.94.

On 22.3.94 the TIG held a meeting to discuss progress and to address any current or anticipated problems.

It was agreed that the small stock of transit food (about 200 kgs) flown to Dollo on the UN plane would be sufficient only for one convoy and that further supplies should be sent as soon as possible. It was considered that one pack of biscuits per person per day should be adequate, although the situation would be monitored. It would also be necessary for the convoy to carry extra food in case of emergency or delay.

The water situation for the journey was also considered, and it was arranged that empty fuel drums of 200 litres capacity (supplied by UN-EUE) would be cleaned and that two would be secured to each truck. Clean water is available directly from the well in Dollo so I arranged with MSF Holland that we could borrow their water pump. Chemical water purification will also be employed.

With a number of possible cholera cases reported in Cheritti, the TIG was very concerned about making the right decisions for the people of Dollo. It was agreed the situation would be monitored and information gathered by the medical teams of MSF Holland and the MoH would be passed on to Addis. Regarding the implications for the commencement of the dispersal programme, the TIG decided to await instructions from the RRC and/or MoH in Addis.

It was agreed that a health screening programme, operating as the people got on the trucks, and a medical team or person with some medical supplies travelling with the convoy, ought to be arranged if possible. The MoH in Dollo was asked what assistance it could provide but the TIG were informed that the ministry did not have the resources available to help. MSF in Dollo also informed the TIG that they were not able to arrange such screening without consulting their headquarters in Addis.

Twelve GTZ/TOR short haul trucks were available to the TIG with a further four arriving shortly. Each of these sixteen trucks should be able to transport around forty persons with their possessions, and with its 380 litre fuel capacity will have a range of around 650 km, which would be sufficient for a round trip. Each convoy would carry about 600 persons with adequate food and water. A mechanic and some spare parts would also travel with the trucks.

The TIG decided that it did not want to get involved in the construction of the office/compound at Haregele and that it would leave everything to UN-EUE. The materials required from Cheritti have been gathered and can be collected by truck and transported to Haregele, those needed from Dollo are available, and those from Addis have been ordered and should be available soon. MSF Holland will be ready to supervise the construction shortly.

On 23.3.94 the TIG received the information that WFP had arranged for two TOR long haul trucks with trailers to leave Nazereth with food for the Haregele store. As the road from the Dollo/Amino area to Haregele is bad they would not be able to travel beyond Amino with the trailers, and that a safe place to leave them (possibly the EPRDF compound) until the mother trucks returned for their second load would need to be arranged. Each truck and trailer has a capacity of 22 tons.

Nobody appeared from the zonal administration on 24.3.94, but some people started to arrive from Mandera in Kenya. They had heard about the dispersal programme and had travelled via Suftu to Dollo, and were congregating outside the UN compound demanding transport to a place called De Dimi. It was explained to them with the help of the local administration that the TIG couldn't move anybody while there may be health problem, and that they should settle themselves with the people in Dollo and await their turn. The women that represented these people remained outside the compound for several days causing some tension, and it was felt that it might be prudent to move these people first if possible, as there could be some violent outbreaks. They numbered 230 persons in all, and they required transport only to De Dimi which is only 76km/4 hours away. In any case, these people dispersed after a few days.

On the morning of 24.3.94, as arranged, four TOR trucks carrying 10 tons of maize seed for the NCA agricultural programme in Cheritti arrived from Gode.

One of MSF Holland's medical teams, while in Suftu, held a meeting with the EPRDF, local administration, and local clan elders. They received information that since 18.3.94, 11,032 persons have arrived in Suftu from Mandera and El Waq because of the closing down of the refugee camps there. Apparently they had been told that there was no more food and they no longer had permission to stay as they were Ethiopian citizens. The people were then escorted to the border by the Kenyan police. MSF were told that these people had no food, water, or shelter in Suftu so far, but there appeared to be no serious health problems. Of the 11,000, it was reported around 5,000 persons wanted to join the dispersal programme for reintegration in Cheritti and Negelle.

As of 26.3.94, MSF Holland reported 18 cases of suspected cholera in Cheritti of which 5 have been fatal. They had also received news from community health workers of 7 cases in Lamashalindi of which 1 had been fatal, however, MSF would go there to confirm.

The TIG also received information that the zonal administration had reached Haregele but that they may be leaving shortly for Jijiga for a meeting. However, they would leave two of their representatives in Haregele. The TIG decided to travel to meet them as soon as possible.

On 27.3.94, Girma of ARRA and UN-EUE field staff travelled to Amino to meet the EPRDF commander and arrange safe keeping of the TOR trailers carrying the food. They were happy to arrange an escort, and conceded to labourers being allowed in the compound to unload and reload the trucks, but as they were obviously concerned about security it was agreed that the EPRDF could select them. The cost would be 1 Birr per quintal and it was felt that this should be the responsibility of TOR/GTZ.

The rest of the TIG went to Suftu to confirm the information supplied by MSF regarding people from Mandera. The TIG found that there were around 2,500-3,000 arrivals as opposed to the 11,000 reported earlier, and that most were happy to stay where they were. Many were aware of the dispersal programme, but were told that it would reach Suftu soon so there was no need to travel to Dollo.

Of the 150 tons of maize seed purchased on behalf of NCA, 49 had already been delivered to Dollo, and a further 10 had just arrived in Cheritti. This leaves 91 in the store in Haregele, some of which NCA tried to collect without any previous arrangement. However, as instructed by Addis, NCA were given a note by the UN-EUE Field Officer in Dollo authorising them to remove up to 50 tons of maize from the Haregele Rubb Hall. This leaves 91 tons in stock for the dispersal programme which is adequate for the first phase of the operation. During the meeting between NCA and UN-EUE in Dollo the possibility of the TIG using some of the NCA maize seed for the dispersal programme was discussed. NCA said that they would be perfectly happy to cooperate.

On the afternoon of 29.3.94 while en route to Cheritti, representatives of the TIG visited the EPRDF compound in Amino and were able to confirm the arrival there of four TOR long haul trucks with food rations destined for Haregele.

Information was received that the UN aircraft would be arriving in Cheritti on Wednesday 30.3.94 with representatives from WHO, UNICEF and the MoH who would assess the health situation in the area and provide the essential information required for the RRC and/or MoH to make a decision on the continuance of the dispersal programme in the Afder Zone. On Tuesday evening the TIG were informed that the aircraft would not be arriving, and that our temporary halt to the programme would remain in effect until further instructions were received from Addis.

The TIG visited Hargele on the morning of 30.3.94 and then went on to Cheritti where the team eventually met with the zonal administration. During the meeting the following morning, the administration informed the team that they were happy to support the programme but that they were very concerned that people might be moved to areas where there is insufficient water or other resources to support them. They were assured that the TIG would work to ensure that this does not occur. Their offer to assist the programme with some of their representatives in key areas was well received.

With all the inputs now virtually in place, and El Medo confirmed as a suitable reintegration site, provided the situation regarding the provision of health surveillance, water supplies and road accessibility is clarified and the TIG are authorized to do so, it is believed the movement of the dispersees can begin.
 

6 April 1994

Disclaimer

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever of the UN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.