| |
AFRICAN STUDIES
CENTER - UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
|
|
UN OCHA Ethiopia:
Weekly Situation
Update SNNPR –
Feb. 02 – 08,
2004
Highlights:
·
Resettlements: postponed indefinitely as sites
not yet fully prepared
·
Meningitis outbreak: reported by WHO in Sidama
and Gideo Zones and by Unicef in Hadiya and Sidama Zones
·
Water and Sanitation workshop: integration of
activities planned
·
OCHA/UNCT Awassa: second round of computer training
for Zonal and Special Woreda DPPD- / Rural Development officials finalised
·
Security/IDP’s: reports about attack in Kuraz
woreda, South Omo Zone; Regional Government reports IDP’s in Bench Maji Zone
Resettlements
Unicef
field monitors report that all resettlements planned for the reporting
period have been postponed indefinitely.
Intra-zonal
movements of Heads of Households (HH) resettlers within Konso SW to Selamago,
planned for January 26, were postponed indefinitely. According to the Rural
Development office, the receiving site was not yet fully prepared for arrivals.
In
Dawro, the intra-zonal movement of 1 000 HH to Esera was postponed for the
same reason. Meanwhile, the 497 HH who were to move to Dawro zone from Hadiya
zone were decreased to 250 HH after a regional review of the receiving site.
When told about the postponement and slashing of numbers by the Woreda Rural
Development officials, resettlers had already sold off their livestock
and household assets, so started moving to nearby towns in search of employment.
This increased woreda officials’ concern that the number of volunteers
for the resettlement program would dwindle.
In
Hadiya zone, the second round of intra-zonal resettlements of 1 000 HH, intended
to take place at the end of January, was postponed again. It is reported
that resettlers have begun looking for work in towns, while some have started
planting their old farmlands. This may mean further delays when resettlements
do happen, as people will then be tied up by work and/or farming. Also in
Hadiya, 83 resettlers are reported to have left resettlements and returned
home to their sending areas in Badwacho woreda. They are reported to be
from the “youth groups”, which has led Zonal authorities to consider reviewing
the age-group targeting of prospective settlers.
From
Gedeo zone, the plan is to resettle 5 988 HH in Bench Maji and Keffa zones
and on January 3, 840 HH were sent to Bench Maji. However, the host community
has requested that 105 of these be sent back, claiming they displayed bad
behaviour. Zonal Rural Development officials are in Bonga to investigate
and arrange return transport.
Meningitis
outbreak
WHO
on February 9 reported a meningitis outbreak in kebeles within Hagereselam
woreda, Sidama zone, Gideo Zone (as well as in Bore woreda, Guge Zone, Oromia
region, which borders SNNPR). Meanwhile, Unicef reports meningitis outbreaks
in Badwacho woreda, Hadiya zone and Aletawondo woreda, Sidama Zones. Vaccinations
are ongoing, and the woredas have requested additional vaccines from the
MoH. The Regional Health Bureau says it is currently drafting an Action plan
which is to be circulated to all stakeholders this week.
Water/sanitation
workshop
A
one-day workshop on “Water and Sanitation Integration” was held in Yirgalem
for Zonal and Health desk officials. It was organized jointly by the Regional
Water and Health Bureaus and Unicef WES section. The outcome, as planned,
was agreements of increased coordination and collaboration between the water
and sanitation sectors. This is hoped to end the inclination of these sectors
to work parallel, rather than in cooperation, with each other.
OCHA/UNCT
Awassa
This
week gave a second round basic computer training for DPPD-/Rural Development
officials from Zones and Special Woredas. The training was part of UNCT
capacity building efforts; the same training was given last year to another
batch of officials. A graduation ceremony was held in Awassa on February
9th; speeches were made by the UNCT and DPPB and participants
were awarded diplomas.
Security / IDP’s
Reports have been received from
Kuraz woreda, South Omo zone, about an attack which took place February 1.
A car with five passengers was attacked by gunmen on the road between Omorate
and Turmi towns. Three of the passengers, who were development agents from
the agriculture office, were killed along with the driver. The fourth passenger
survived, and said the attackers were from the “local ethnic group” Dasanech.
Woreda police and emergency squad have not yet been able to capture the attackers.
Travellers are advised to not go to Kuraz or Hamer.
The regional Government reports
that there are 2 000 “highlander” IDP’s from Gambella (Dimma), accompanied
by women and children, near Beru, Bench Maji zone. Unicef will be undertaking
a verification mission next week.
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.
UN OCHA Ethiopia
Tel.: (251) (1) 51-37-25
PO Box 60252
Fax: (251) (1) 51-12-92
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
E-mail:
ocha-eth@un.org
Web Sites:
www.ocha-eth.org
www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/eue_web/eue_mnu.htm
(archive)