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Agriculture Update
With the strengthening La Niña conditions aggravating the dry condition in southern and eastern parts of the country
and starting to cause pasture and water shortage problems, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is
preparing a rapid livestock response to protect the livelihoods of vulnerable pastoral and agro-pastoral communities
in affected areas of the Somali region, Borena zone of Oromia region and South Omo zone of SNNP region. The
planned response will include destocking (commercial and, in case of severe drought, slaughtering), rehabilitation of
ponds and traditional wells to improve the availability of water for livestock, provision of survival/supplementary
livestock feed to keep core cattle breeding stock alive and healthy, and strengthening the animal health service
delivery system. These interventions are designed to minimize the impact of weather related hazards on livestock,
usually manifested in poor body condition, loss of productivity and draught power, and death; ultimately, these
interventions are intended to protect the livestock-based livelihood of the pastoral communities. For more
information, contact: [email protected].
Nutrition Update
The latest Early Warning Bulletin issued by the Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS)
reports a stable nutrition situation at the national level based on observed trends in admissions to Therapeutic
Feeding Programmes (TFP) and results of recent nutrition surveys. The latter were carried out by GOAL in Malka
Balo (Oromia), Bambasi, Kurmuk (Benishangul Gumuz) and Wagera (Amhara) woredas; by World Vision in Tenta
(Amhara), Atsibi Wenberta (Tigray), and Humbo (SNNP) woredas; and by Save the Children-US in Filtu woreda
(Somali). While the surveys show a normal nutrition situation in most woredas, the situation in Bambasi, Kurmuk and
Wagera woredas is aggravated by the poor meher crop harvest. The nutritional situation in these woredas, as well as
in Filtu, is of concern to humanitarian actors. In response GOAL and Save the Children-US, respectively, will provide
nutrition support in these woredas. The Emergency Nutrition Coordination Unit (ENCU)/DRMFSS predicts that the
nutrition situation will continue to be stable in January, but that some pocket areas will need to be closely monitored
throughout the first quarter of 2011. The impact of La Niña on water and pasture availability in parts of the Somali,
Oromia and SNNP regions is likely to exacerbate communities’ nutritional status. ENCU encourages humanitarian
partners to conduct timely assessments. For more information, contact: [email protected].
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Update
Serious shortage of water continues to be reported in various parts of the Somali, Oromia and Tigray regions. In the
Somali region, the deyr rains, which were expected from October to December in Degehabur, Fik, Korahe, Warder,
Liban, Gode and Afder zones, were poor in coverage and distribution and resulted in very low recharges of
underground water and drying of water harvesting structures. According to the recently released emergency
contingency plan, more than one million people need immediate water provision through water trucking for an initial
period of three months. The situation is expected to deteriorate in the following months as the next rains are not
expected before April 2011. The regional government with support from UNICEF, COOPI and IRC has been
undertaking water trucking in the most affected woredas. In Oromia region, the regional government is also
undertaking water trucking with the support of the Ministry of Water and Energy (with funds from the government of
Spain), UNICEF and CARE. The Regional Water Bureau is preparing to deploy additional water trucks to East and
West Harerghe while GOAL is planning an intervention in Borena zone. UNICEF is presently in Guji and Borena
zones of Oromia region to assess recent developments of the situation and evaluate needs. It is estimated that more
than 580,000 people are affected by serious shortage of water in 25 districts of East and West Harerge, Borena, Guji,
West Arsi and Bale zones. Partners are working on the construction of new and rehabilitation of non-functional water
schemes in Oromiya and Somali regions. Shortage of water also continues to be reported from Tigray region,
severely affecting Tanqua Abergele, Saharti Samre, Erob, Mereb Leke, Ahferom and Raya Azebo woredas and
requiring immediate response. Tanqua Abergele woreda requires provision of water treatment chemicals and support
in drilling two shallow wells. The rest of the woredas require water rationing as immediate response. For more
information, contact: [email protected].
Health Update
During the week from 3 to 9 January, a total of 14 acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) cases were reported from East
Harerghe zone in Oromia region. Meanwhile, a total of 336 measles cases were reported from SNNP (190 cases),
Tigray (three cases) and Oromia (143 cases) during the same period. WHO continues supporting response activities
at regional level as well as the preparation of a preparedness plan at federal level. As part of its AWD preparedness
activities in at risk areas the Amhara Regional Health Bureau (RHB) and the North Wollo zonal health office with
technical assistance from UNICEF undertook water and sanitation activities in Lalibela in view of the Ethiopian
Christmas celebrations on January 7, which attracted an estimated 250,000 pilgrims. Partners agreed that the town
administration health office would take the lead in implementing sustainable prevention activities, including
construction of trench latrines and transmission of AWD messages. For more information, contact: [email protected] & [email protected].

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