Relief Food Update As of 6 September, dispatch of the fifth round of relief food (targeting 3.3 million people nationwide) is near completion at 95 per cent, including 96 per cent dispatched to areas covered by the Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS), 93 per cent to WFP-covered areas and 96 per cent to areas covered by the NGO consortium Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP). Allocations for the sixth round (targeting 3.8 million people) are expected to start from 10 September 2012. The next Food and Non-Food Management Task Force Meeting takes place on 14 September 2012. For more information, contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org
Health Update At the national level, a total of 53,550 cases of malaria were reported along with 10 confirmed deaths (Case Fatality Rate of 0.01 per cent) during the previous week. Some 95 per cent of the cases occurred in three regions: SNNPR (47 per cent), Amhara (26 per cent); and Oromia (22 per cent), although certain localized areas of the Oromia Region such as West Shoa, Arsi and Horoguduru zone continue to report increasing case loads compared to previous weeks.
The SNNP Regional Health Bureau/Public Health Emergency Management (RHB/PHEM), Sidama WHO conducted training (27-31 August 2012) on early warning, surveillance and management of communicable disease outbreak focusing on Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) and malaria as part of preventive and control measures implemented in the region. The training targeted the Sidama Zone Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR/PHEM) focal persons at Yirgalem Town collaboration with WHO. A total of 131 focal persons from all the woreda health offices and all health institutions (hospitals and health centers) in Sidama Zone took part in the training.
Since July 2012, the Somali Region has reported cases of diarrhoea with peaks recorded in the first week of August 2012. Numbers of new cases have declined in the last three weeks. The outbreak centered on Dollo Ado woreda, Liben Zone. The 292 cases reported since the onset of the outbreak; children under the age of five constitute the majority. According to UNHCR, during the first two weeks of August, there was an increase in diarrhoea related cases in Melkadida and Buramino camps. The combined WASH and health sector response by carried out by UNHCR, the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) and partners centered on investigation, coordination, improved water provision, sanitation and hygiene promotion, as well as coordinated sharing of available supplies. No new health center admissions occurred and Melkadida Camp particularly has registered remarkable progress. Overall, diarrhea surveillance remains a priority in all camps.
The Oromia Regional Health Bureau, Zonal Health Department (ZHD) and WHO have conducted an assessment in Arero and Moyale woredas (Oromia Region) where Internally Displaced People (IDP) are located in the first week of September. The team used the findings to prepare a proposal for the rapid initiation of health service provision in three health posts in a location where functioning health posts do not exist but people continue to return.
Epidemic preparedness activities have begun with the establishment of a temporary clinic and a Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) center in Borena Zone, Oromia Region where thousands of people are expected to gather for a ceremony. Deployed health workers will work in the clinic; supervise hygiene conditions (bars and restaurants); provide information on TB, HIV/AIDS, malaria, diarrhoea and other communicable diseases and also distribute condoms. The clinic is equipped (drugs and medical supplies) and is giving routine services to the community. Assigned community health informants will detect and report outbreaks in advance. Surveillance is strengthened and the Oromia Health Bureau allocated budgets (transferred from WHO) in addition to distributing water purifying chemicals. For more information, contact: who-wro@et.efro.who.int or prokopch@unhcr.org
Moyale Update According to the DRMFSS, the security situation in Moyale town and its surroundings is still improving as conflict between the Borena (Oromo) and Geere (Somali) ended. The relief assistance provided by the Government’s Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS) and WFP reached 42,400 people (33,000 Oromia and 12,400 Somali). Continuity of extending this relief initially set for 15 days will depend on findings of the ongoing rapid assessment. The DRMFSS approved the start of the rapid assessment that will take place between 7 and 12 September 2012 (Including travel). DRMFSS will communicate with the local governments of Somali and Oromia regions to facilitate the assessment 8-10 September 2012. For more information, contact: infodrmfss@dppc.gov.et or ocha-eth@un.org