ETHIOPIA: HEALTH MINISTRY REQUESTS SUPPORT TO

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002305 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID CASC WHO ET SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: HEALTH MINISTRY REQUESTS SUPPORT TO STEM ACUTE WATERY DIARRHEA OUTBREAK ¶1. Summary. Ethiopia's Federal Ministry of Health issued a letter (text below) to USAID, UNICEF, WHO and UNOCHA August 17 requesting preparedness and response support for an outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD). In a conversation August 18 with USAID's Chief Health Officer, State Minister of Health Dr. Kebede Worku confirmed that there is a "major problem" of AWD (Note: MOH reported that initial tests do not indicate cholera as the pathogen. End Note.) and requested a prompt response. End Summary. ¶2. The Ministry of Health (MOH) established a rapid response team to deal with the outbreak and to date, with assistance from UNICEF, USAID contractor Population Services International (PSI),has moved supplies, including drugs, treatment kits, water treatment tankers, and vehicles to the affected areas. Through the USAID-funded Essential Services for Health in Ethiopia Project, the MOH also initiated a door-to-door campaign to provide prevention and treatment information to the affected communities. Rapid response and surveillance teams have been deployed. However, given wide-spread flooding in several areas in Ethiopia, the MOH is now requesting donor assistance. ¶3. The MOH has prepared a proposal outlining its support needs. This proposal has been forwarded to AF/E Ethiopia Desk Officer Mike Gonzales, and USAID has also forwarded the proposal in its channels. ¶4. Begin text: Date: 16 August 2006 Ref. No.: MTI/14/45/232 Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health Subject: Request for Support on Preparedness and Response to Outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea Federal Ministry of Health appreciates the support being rendered by your esteemed organization in various health related programs in Ethiopia. Currently, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in collaboration with partners is providing support to Oromiya and SNNP Regional State to effectively respond to outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) which is being reported from 10 woredas in Oromiya and 4 in SNNPR. To date at total of 7999 cases with 42 deaths are reported to IDSR team of FMOH. In light of this and due to the nature of the situation to expand, we are planning to build the country's capacity to effectively respond to the current outbreak and to a possible protracted epidemic. This is therefore, to request your organization to support the FMOH in its effort of strengthening preparedness and response activities as per the proposal attached herewith. Thank you for your prompt response. Working together for health. Signed Dr. Kebede Worku State Minister of Health WILGUS