VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDS #0987/01 1011323
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 101323Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0236
INFO RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA 2478
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 8971
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 3452
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 3134
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 4229
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3066
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 6424
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7330
RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHDC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 000987 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE DEPARTMENT FOR A/S FRAZER, DAS AF JSWAN, AF/E, AF/PDPA, OES, 
A/S PRM SAUERBREY, AND PRM/AFR 
AFR/AA KALMQUIST, WWARREN, LKELLEY, KNELSON, CTHOMPSON, BDUMFORD 
DCHA/AA MHESS, GGOTTLIEB 
DCHA/OFDA KLUU, ACONVERY, CCHAN, PMORRIS, KCHANNELL 
DCHA/FFP JBORNS, PMOHAN, SANTHONY, PBERTOLIN 
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
CJTF-HOA AND USCENTCOM FOR POLAD 
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, RTILSWORTH, AND LPANASUK 
NAIROBI FOR OFDA/ECARO JMYER, GPLATT, RFFPO NCOX, USAID/EA 
ROME FOR AMBASSADOR, OHA, HSPANOS 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU PBROWN 
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH, RMA 
USUN FOR TMALY 
NSC FOR PMARCHAN 
 
AIDAC 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PHUM SENV EAGR PGOV ET
REF:  A)ADDIS 0727 B)ADDIS 0772 
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON SNNPR AND OROMIYA REGION DROUGHT 
 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
Begin summary.  USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance 
(USAID/OFDA) staff traveled from March 11 to 18 to Southern Nations 
Nationalities Peoples Region (SNNPR) and Oromiya regions to monitor 
OFDA funded CONCERN and International Medical Corps (IMC) programs 
and assess the current drought condition and impact on the nutrition 
and health status of the population.  The team met with woreda, 
zonal, and regional government officials and community 
representatives; attended emergency regional meetings and visited 
USAID/OFDA funded nutrition programs.  The team highlights 
continuing food and water shortage for both human and animal 
consumption, precarious nutrition conditions, and severe threat to 
pastoral livelihoods in pocket areas of these two regions. 
Assistance to support the Government of Ethiopia's (GoE) efforts to 
mitigate the negative effects of the drought has commenced but 
critical gaps remain.  There is need to scale up animal nutrition 
and health programs; water for human and animal consumption; 
provision of general food ration to targeted affected areas; blanket 
supplementary feeding to children under five, pregnant and lactating 
women, and the elderly; as well as support to Ministry of Health 
(MOH) to handle the increased load of malnourished children through 
the community-based therapeutic care (CTC) approach such as 
USAID-supported CONCERN and IMC programs.  End Summary. 
 
------------ 
Introduction 
------------ 
 
¶1.  From March 11 to 18, 2008, USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster 
Assistance (USAID/OFDA) Washington-based public health advisor and 
Addis-based field monitor staff traveled to SNNPR and Oromiya 
regions to assess the current drought condition and its impact on 
the nutrition and health status of the population, and to monitor 
non-governmental organization (NGO) partners IMC and CONCERN's 
USAID/OFDA funded nutrition programs.  The team with CONCERN and IMC 
staff met woreda, zonal and regional government officials and 
community representatives in Gurage, Sidama, Welayta, Dawro, and 
Gedeo zones in SNNPR Region and Borena zone in Oromiya Region. 
 
¶2.  Currently several rapid health, nutrition, and food security 
assessments have been conducted in hotspot areas in these two zones. 
 Several nutrition surveys are planned for April.  However, timely 
and appropriate response is needed now and is justified even in the 
lack of global and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) prevalence data. 
The current trends seen in the nutritional screenings that have been 
conducted in recent weeks, coupled with the aggravating factors such 
as drought, water scarcity, animal deaths, decreased access to food 
and milk, among others, justify a timely and focused intervention to 
prevent the loss of life and assets. 
 
--------------------------- 
Borena Zone, Oromiya Region 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3.  Zonal authorities and non-governmental organization (NGO) 
partners conducted a rapid assessment between February 28 and March 
10, 2008 in 11 drought affected districts in the zone.  The rapid 
assessment in Yabello, Arero, Teletele, Dillo, Dire, Dhas, Moyale, 
Miyo Dugda-dawa, Malka-soda and Bulehora districts reveals that the 
drought situation in Borana Zone has deteriorated resulting in an 
increased number of population in need of assistance from 88,000 (in 
January 2008) to 314,407 out of which 19,314 are conflict displaced 
populations (conflict between two districts for scarce water and 
pasture resources).  The population will need assistance from now to 
June 2008 even if the Ganna rains begin thereby improving pasture 
and water availability and increasing milk availability for the 
affected population.  As of March 15, the Ganna rains had not yet 
started.  There is concern that the rains may be delayed and when 
they do start they will be sporadic and insufficient to regenerate 
water sources and pasture. 
 
¶4.  Reports provided by the zonal authorities show that cases of 
livestock death have increased in all the affected districts.  To 
date 17,204 animals have died in the eleven districts since early 
January 2008.  Populations in need of water assistance have 
increased from 165,492 to 215,640 people.  So far only 103,355 
people have received one or two rounds of water distribution at a 
rate of 0.4-1.2 liters per person per day.  In addition there is 
high pressure of human and livestock around water points resulting 
in very long lines and wait time.  According to zonal officials, 
10,633 agro pastoralists in Yabello and Taltale districts need seeds 
for the coming Ganna sowing season since they had a poor harvest and 
seed stock from last year Ganna and Hagaya season.  There is 
increased charcoal and fire wood production in order to generate 
additional income.  School drop out has increased dramatically and 
more than 29 schools have been closed in the districts due to lack 
of water and associated stresses encountered. 
 
¶5.  The zonal agriculture officer stated that the cost of food in 
the local market has doubled for grain products while the cost of 
animals has decreased by half in some markets.  For example, in 
Dhaas District, the market price for an ox decreased from 3000 Birr 
in 2007 to 1500 Birr currently and cows from 1800 Birr to 700 Birr. 
The cost of maize in Dhaas district increased from 75-100 Birr in 
2007 to 240 Birr per 100 kilograms, while in Dire district the price 
increased from 150 Birr in 2007 to 300 Birr during the same time 
period. 
 
¶6.  According to zonal health representatives, there will be a 
measles vaccination campaign in April, 2008 in all districts in the 
zone.  Targeted measles vaccination had taken place in the past 
month as a response to measles cases in specific peasant 
associations.  Thirteen emergency drug kits are available in the 
Zone but the zonal health bureau anticipates the need for more 
supplies as the water and nutrition situation deteriorates in the 
next few months. 
 
¶7.  The response so far has included food distribution, animal 
feeding, and water interventions. The Disaster Prevention and 
Preparedness Commission/Bureau (DPPC) has distributed to date 15,668 
quintal of maize and 2,886 quintal of corn soy blend to the 88,000 
population in need identified in January 2008.  The ration provides 
some relief, however it is inadequate to meet the needs of the 
population especially since they are reliant on this food for their 
survival.  Government and NGOs have started providing animal feeds 
for 12,227 weak and lactating cows and calves in 19 selected sites 
of Dire, Moyalle, Miyo, Dhas and Arero woredas to preserve the local 
Borena breed.  This may help save the breed but will not save the 
livelihoods of the population.  Additionally, NGO partners are 
planning to start support to human nutrition intervention through 
community therapeutic care in most affected districts. 
 
¶8.  The team visited two peasant associations in Dire District and 
observed that women and the elderly looked very thin.  Data from an 
emergency screening conducted by the zonal authorities and NGOs in 
late February reveals that 288 pregnant and lactating women were 
malnourished in comparison to 63 from EOS data in December 07.  Even 
though culturally in Borena the children are fed at the expense of 
other segments in the population, the under fives also are showing 
an increase trend in malnutrition with 178 screened as malnourished 
in February 08 versus 62 in December 07.  The team observed 
emaciated livestock (especially cows) at water points as well as on 
the road.  Villagers stated that they had lost numerous animals the 
night of the team's visit. 
 
------------ 
SNNPR Region 
------------ 
 
¶9.  The team visited the USAID/OFDA-supported CONCERN program in 
Sodo and Mareko woredas, and the Butajira hospital and health center 
in Guraghe zone.  In addition, the team visited health facilities in 
Bolososore woreda that were previously supported by OFDA through 
IMC, and the currently IMC-supported health facilities in Gedeo, and 
Dawro zones.  The team also attended a child survival meeting in 
Awasa where zonal officials and partner NGOs discussed the current 
drought situation and identified responses and remaining gaps. 
 
¶10.  An inter agency team from NGOs working in SNNPR and the zonal 
authorities conducted a rapid health, nutrition, and food security 
assessment in Damot Pulasa, Damot Woyide, and Bolososore woredas in 
Wolayita zone from March 7 to 12, 2008.  The main problems 
identified in this rapid assessment include lack of pasture and 
acute water shortage for livestock, population pressure (very highly 
populated area), water born diseases (diarrheal diseases); absence 
of the Belg rain, lack of agricultural input and seed for the coming 
season, high market prices of staple food such as maize and low 
market price of livestock, high out-migration in search of casual 
labor to nearby towns and state farms even though the pay for labor 
has been in a sharp decline.  Out of 792 children screened in the 
three woredas, 74 were moderately malnourished and 53 were severely 
malnourished. 
 
¶11.  Another multi agency rapid health, nutrition, and food security 
assessment was conducted In Kindo Koyisha woreda in Wolyita Zone 
from February 7-11, 2008.  Out of 376 under five children screened, 
28 were acutely malnourished. Access to water in the woreda is 
getting more difficult with women having to travel longer distances 
and longer time to fetch water (4-5 hours round trip).  The woreda 
has 23 kebeles with 28,753 safety net beneficiaries, 3,980 of those 
receive food while the rest receive cash.  The situation, though not 
classified as serious warrants close monitoring. A follow-up visit 
to Kindo Koyisha the first week of March 2008, reveals market prices 
for maize increased from 175 Birr to 400 Birr, there is lack of 
pasture and water for animals with animal emaciation and 375 deaths, 
1399 children dropped out of school and the wilting of enset (false 
banana used for food) and other trees. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
OBSERVATION from visit with OFDA-Funded partners 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
--CONCERN-- 
 
¶12.  The team visited the USAID/OFDA-supported CONCERN program at 
Kella, Koshe, Butajira hospital and health center.  The health 
facility in Shashego reported treating 105 malnourished children in 
March compared to 35 in February.  In Mareko woreda the case load 
increased to 108 SAM cases.  The health facility staff are managing 
the increased case load and requested minimal support to dispatch a 
mobile outreach team to the 4 peasant associations where they have 
identified that the malnourished children are coming from. 
 
¶13.  The team observed during the visits that there is a very active 
and dedicated MOH staff with an assigned out patient program (OTP) 
focal point and all nursing staff involved in the management of SAM. 
 Most health facilities are reporting regularly to the woredas on 
the OTP activities. Screening for malnutrition and admission is on a 
daily basis with weekly follow-up.  Some of the health facilities 
have included OTP services in their annual work plan.  This is a 
very positive outcome and denotes the serious effort the MOH and 
staff are putting towards the treatment of malnutrition. However, 
this would not have been possible without CONCERN's support, 
guidance, and capacity building of the staff at woreda as well as 
health facility level. 
 
--IMC-- 
 
¶14.  The visit with IMC provided the team an opportunity to see the 
outcomes from a handover to the MOH of previously OFDA-funded 
IMC-supported health facilities as well as facilities under active 
IMC support. The Dola health post in Bolososore where IMC had 
provided support in the past continues to function with support from 
the MOH. Malnutrition screening and treatment is provided with 
supervision from the woreda health staff.  The team also visited 
Mari health center in Mareka woreda, and the Tercha hospital where 
IMC is currently supporting the MOH by providing training to staff 
on the treatment of SAM.  The success of the IMC nutrition program 
can be attributed to IMC's approach of a facilitator and a full 
partner with the MOH, in addition to a very co-operative and 
dedicated Zonal and Woreda officials and MOH staff. 
 
¶15.  The current drought situation in Dawro Zone, Tocha and Mareka 
has resulted in increased numbers of beneficiaries accessing OTP, as 
well as cattle deaths.  In Essera woreda there is a serious shortage 
of water and increased diarrhea cases in addition to cattle deaths. 
In Wolaitta Zone, Bolossore Woreda has lacked belg rain and is 
experiencing water shortage, loss of sweet potato and other root 
crops, and approximately 5,550 students have dropped out of school. 
Close monitoring is needed in order to assist the MOH in mitigating 
an increased deterioration in the nutritional situation. 
 
--MOH-- 
 
¶16.  The MOH, at all levels, spoke highly of the support provided by 
IMC and CONCERN to the MOH run nutrition interventions.  The MOH 
stated that it is able to deal with the increased load of 
malnourished children with some continued help by NGOs especially in 
training of new staff and logistical support.  However, if the 
drought situation deteriorates with further lack of food and water 
for both humans and animals, the case load of SAMs may reach 
unmanageable proportions for the MOH. At that time further 
assistance from partners will be needed such as expanding support to 
several new woredas. 
------------------------------------------- 
Constraints facing CONCERN and IMC programs 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶17.  The visited MOH-run health facilities supported by IMC and 
CONCERN are able, to a certain point, to support an increase in the 
number of children in the OTP.  However, their main constraint will 
be medicines for the treatment of these additional children as well 
as the need for additional ready to use foods (RUF).  This is a 
problem due to the budgetary constraints at all levels of the health 
system.  Transportation costs for the RUF and additional medicines 
needed for the treatment of malnourished children, from regional 
level to zone to woreda to health facility are not part of the 
health system budget.  This creates major problems at the health 
facility level when there is a break in the supply of these 
nutritional products and medicines.  NGOs such as IMC and Concern 
have been filling this budgetary/logistical gap by transporting 
nutritional products and drugs to health facilities.  The problem 
remains in areas where NGOs are not present. 
 
¶18.  Turn over of staff is another major constraint necessitating 
constant need for training for new staff. USAID/OFDA NGO partners 
with the MOH have been training all staff at health facilities in 
the management of severe acute malnutrition in the hopes that some 
capacity will remain, albeit reduced, when health staff are 
reassigned or leave their posts. 
 
¶19.  Animal health and nutrition are deteriorating despite 
supplementary animal feeding interventions supported by USAID and 
other donors.  This has a negative impact on the nutrition of 
children since a major source of food, milk, is now lacking from the 
diet.  Furthermore, the impact of animal deaths will deplete the 
livelihoods of pastoralist which will prolong the recovery of their 
herds once the drought is over, meaning that access to milk will be 
limited, impacting children and pregnant and lactating women and the 
elderly. 
 
¶20.  Agricultural production has been impacted by the lack of rain 
during the last growing season and the late start of the short 
rains. Weather predictions for the Region are of below normal rain 
fall. Currently root crops, which people consume to fill in the 
hunger gap, have failed in pockets of Oromiya and SNNPR. The cost of 
food in the local market has doubled for grain products while the 
cost of animals has decreased by half in some markets. Prices of 
food commodities on international market have increased, food 
availability decreased, and the increased cost of transport due to 
the increase in fuel prices are complicating the issues of relief 
food. This means fewer people will be assisted for the same or 
greater cost, which would lead to increased numbers of malnourished 
populations and overwhelming of the fragile health system that will 
be required to treat the malnourished. 
 
¶21.  Water for both human and animal consumption is becoming scarce. 
Traditional water systems that used to contain water all year long 
have been drying up. Provision of water by the government and NGOs 
has begun in several areas in Oromiya and SNNPR. Lack of water has a 
critical impact on the health and nutritional status of the 
population especially children, with cases of diarrheal diseases on 
the rise. 
 
--------------- 
Recommendations 
--------------- 
 
¶22.  In order to save lives and livelihoods, the Government of 
Ethiopia and the humanitarian community need to support first and 
foremost adequate and diversified food rations to affected 
populations for the next three months at a minimum. 
 
¶23.  To prevent moderate acute malnutrition, support a three months 
blanket supplementary ration to children under five, pregnant and 
lactating women, and the elderly. 
 
¶24.  To treat severe acute malnutrition, continue support to the MOH 
through OFDA-supported CONCERN and IMC programs to solidify the 
ability of the MOH to deal with malnourished children as part of the 
health system.  Additionally, USAID/OFDA's partners through programs 
such as GOAL's Rapid Response Program in addition to CONCERN and 
IMC, are pre-positioned in the affected areas to respond should the 
health and nutrition situation deteriorate beyond the capacity of 
the MOH. 
 
¶25.  Animal health and nutrition support as well as water 
interventions for both humans and animals are critical for long term 
nutritional well being of communities in order to protect productive 
assets and safeguard lives.  These efforts need to be intensified 
and expanded. 
 
¶26.  USAID/OFDA should continue to closely monitor the affected 
areas, provide as appropriate, and advocate for other donors to 
provide assistance in a timely manner. 
 
YAMAMOTO