Phone: 06-20
70 64/5, Fax: 06-20 70 63,
E-mail: unawassa@telecom.net.et
Weekly
Situation Update SNNPR 28
July - 3 August Highlights §Post
Belg Assessment and Pre Meher Assessment Review and new beneficiary figures;
need for reassessment in SNNP Region §With
the onset of Kiremt rains Malaria and TB increasing; rains adding to logistic
challenges of the emergency response §Problems
with supply and availability of drugs and access to seeds with fertilizer §New
institutional structures to approach coordination of humanitarian emergency
response
new
beneficiary figures; need for reassessment in SNNP Region
Preliminary
beneficiary estimates for SNNPR as per Belg preharvest assessment
results put figures for SNNPR at 1,443,193 from August to September and
784,130 from October to December with 211,922 for close monitoring. Three
out of the total of 14 teams in this year's Belg and pastoral area
assessments (launched on 22 June 2003) were assigned to complete rapid
pre-harvest assessments in SNNPR. The three teams comprised of DPPC WFP
and USAID experts assessed South Omo Zone, Dirashe SW, Konso SW, Dawuro
Zone, Gamu Gofa Zone, Walayita Zone, Gurage and Silti Zones. The teams
gave a regional level pre-harvest debriefing in Awassa on July 11 followed
by debriefings in Addis on July 18.
Based
on the findings of this assessment, beneficiary estimates for 58 woredas
in 15 zones and Special Woredas of SNNPR have been finalised and new beneficiary
figures released identifying needs in the region until the end of 2003.
The regional debriefings on July 11 presented findings of their assessment
to the SNNPR Regional Partners Co-ordination meeting and comments were
made in response to the debriefings and findings at this time. In
addition, the findings and comments were further discussed at the Regional
Partners Co-ordination Meeting of 25 July 2003. In
summary, emergency partners general reaction to the assessment at regional
level highlights concerns as to the timing of the assessment, which was
felt to be either inappropriate for Belg or too early for Meher.
The need for a reassessment in SNNPR was stressed. Additionally, the forecast
and figures of the assessment did not take into proper consideration the
impact of variables such as poor weather conditions and pest infestation
on the predicted crop harvest. The impact of farmers’ access to seeds and
fertiliser following crop loss due to unpredicted calamities was also an
issue not factored in by the assessment. In the search for correct beneficiary
figures a reassessment in the SNNPR region was of vital importance for
consideration at federal level.
Kiremt
rains and problems with supply and
availability
of drugs increase Malaria and TB
Good
Kiremt rains are reported throughout the region improving livestock
grazing conditions and supporting the optimistic Meher crop forecast.
However, the rains have increased malaria and pneumonia cases and caused
concerns for meningitis as well as general water and sanitation conditions.
In a region with chronic infrastructure challenges the rains have exacerbated
existing logistic and structural problems affecting delivery of assistance
and beneficiary access to food distribution sites. Some seasonal flooding
was reported as a result of the rains. The structural and administrative
delays and lack of institutional capacity to ensure timely anti-malarial
spraying and delivery of malaria drugs is having serious consequences.
New
TFCs continue to open with SCF-US opening up sites in Morocho July 24 and
Melgano Kebado on 1st August in Sidama Zone. More new sites
are planned but additional sites are being identified that were not previously
planned such as Tunto in Kembata Tembaro. With the lack of capacity to
do a blanket regional nutritional assessment the emergency response based
on reports of pockets of malnutrition is viewed as needing better systemization.
In areas such as Kemba Woreda in Gamu Gofa Zone, drought stricken since
1998, Kwashiokor and Marasmus are reported in six kebeles. A nutritional
assessment is planned but overall it is the opening up of a TFC and the
large numbers turning up for admission that reveals the extent of nutritional
problems in pocket areas. A newly formed Health and Nutrition Taskforce
is expected to establish a more systematic approach for conducting assessments
and coordinating the RBOH, NGOs and UN into an integrated process that
enables better use of limited human resources and better coverage of the
zones.
With
an average capacity of 100 children, TFCs are opening up in pocket areas
with large numbers of children with high malnutrition rates. These TFCs
lack space to respond to needs. Operating beyond capacity, with high admission
rates, the lack of space is reducing the effectiveness of the TFC and the
wet feeding programs delaying timely discharge for those admitted. Furthermore,
not enough supplementary food is available for children discharged from
the TFCs. Although OXFAM has plans to open eight supplementary food distribution
sites by the end of August, more supplementary food distribution sites
need to be opened throughout the region.
Providing
water to TFCs has highlighted the chronic and structural water and sanitation
problems in SNNPR. Potable water for both human and livestock consumption
is a critical problem in affected areas. Previous drought years, mismanagement
and lack of monitoring and maintenance affected the system in place.
Critical
areas of SNNPR are Dawouro, Wolayta, Sidama and Hadiya Zones, where a combination
of malnutrition, malaria and unsafe drinking water are having a negative
impact especially on children who are turning up in large numbers whenever
TFCs are opened. The response to the ongoing malaria epidemic and availability
of drugs is hampered in some places by destitute patients and beneficiaries
of food aid being requested to pay for treatment. The unavailability of
drugs at woreda level due to logistics and financial constraints is also
having adverse effects.
Problems
with supply, availability and access to fertilizer
In
this crucial and short planting period when farmers who have prepared land
and received seeds urgently require fertilizer, there are reports of very
limited stocks available throughout the region. In some cases prime wheat
seeds distributed in large numbers are affected by the total lack of fertilizer
despite farmers' willingness to sell assets and acquire them by paying
cash for direct purchase of fertilizer.
New
institutional structures to approach
coordination
of humanitarian emergency response
The
importance of information exchange in the planning and coordination of
the emergency response is acknowledged by the DPPO, currently initiating
the establishment of zonal level forums in partnership with UN OCHA. So
far, with UN OCHA and UNICEF support, Zonal Coordination Meeting forums
have been established. UNICEF’s newly appointed zonal field monitors record
and disseminate minutes of the discussions held during these meetings.
With UN OCHA facilitation, the Zonal Partners' Coordination Forums have
now been established in Haidya, Wolayta, Kembata-Tembaro, Alaba Special
Woreda, Dawouro, Sidama and Gurage zones. The Silti Zonal Partners Coordination
Meeting (ZPCM), inaugurated with the support of a UN OCHA field officer,
was held on 31 July (minutes will be initiated when UNICEF field monitor
is in place). The Gamu Gofa ZPCM is expected to take place shortly. At
the regional level, in Awassa, a Health and Nutrition Taskforce has been
established and efforts are underway to coordinate and integrate nutritional
assessments in the region. UN OCHA is planning to support and/or initiate
efforts to introduce and establish sectoral coordination forums.
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.
13
August 2003
UN
OCHA Tel.:
(251) (1) 51-37-25
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(251) (1) 51-12-92
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Ababa E-mail:
un-eue@un.org
Ethiopia
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Sites: www.uneue.org
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www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/eue_web/eue_mnu.htm(archive)