ETHIOPIA'S HUMANITARIAN OUTLOOK - FLOODS UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ADDIS ABABA 002876 SIPDIS SIPDIS DCHA/AA MHESS, GGOTTLIEB AFR/AA KALMQUIST, WWARREN, JBORNS DCHA/OFDA KLUU, ACONVERY, PMORRIS, KCHANNELL AFR/EA KNELSON, BDUNFORD, CTHOMPSON DCHA/FFP WHAMMINK, JDWORKEN, PMOHAN, SANTHONY, PBERTOLIN STATE DEPARTMENT FOR A/S AF FRAZER, DAS AF JSWAN, AF/E, AF/PDPA, OES, A/S PRM SAUERBREY, AND PRM/AFR LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER CJTF-HOA AND USCENTCOM FOR POLAD USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS, RTILSWORTH, AND LPANASUK NAIROBI FOR OFDA/ECARO JMYER, GPLATT, RFFPO NCOX, USAID/EA ROME FOR AMBASSADOR, OHA BRUSSELS FOR USEU PBROWN GENEVA FOR NKYLOH, RMA ROME FOR HSPANOS USUN FOR TMALY NSC FOR CHUDSON, JMELINE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAGR ET PHUM PGOV PREF MOPS SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA'S HUMANITARIAN OUTLOOK - FLOODS UPDATE ¶1. SUMMARY: The overall humanitarian outlook in Ethiopia for the remainder of 2007 is cause for concern. While some areas of the country are particularly fragile, the combination of flooding, emerging nutrition hotspots, continued outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea (AWD),poor belg season rains, delayed food responses, current restrictions on trade and movement in Somali Region and resulting humanitarian implications, and food insecurity in the lowlands of Oromiya is increasing vulnerability of the 8 million people, including safety net beneficiaries, identified as at-risk in Ethiopia, according to FEWSNET. ¶2. Torrential rains, overflowing lakes and rivers over the last several weeks have resulted in displacement of many communities and damage to crops, livestock and food supplies. Flooding continues to pose a significant risk as alarming increases in dam and river water levels are reported in Ethiopia with Amhara, Gambella and SNNP currently the most affected regions. The situation has been further aggravated by a rise in cases of AWD. The United Nations (UN) estimates more than 200,000 people have been affected by floods this year. The Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Agency (DPPA) estimates over 60,000 people are temporarily displaced. These figures reflect estimates and could increase once the joint DPPA/UN assessment teams conclude analysis. USAID/OFDA staff joined in part of the field assessments. While numbers continue to climb, the death toll from flooding has reached 17 people, while some 4,000 head of livestock have been drowned or washed away, and 51,000 hectares of crops have been damaged. The Government of Ethiopia (GOE)-led national flood contingency plan was released last month and flood response efforts are underway. The severity of the flooding to date has not yet reached the magnitude of the 2006 floods which devastated the country. While still very weak, improved early warning and preparedness efforts have mitigated greater loss of lives. It is too early to ascertain overall flood impact, as flooding in the eastern and southern parts of the country may occur through November. End summary. -------------- Early Warning and Contingency Planning -------------- ¶3. In 2006, unprecedented nationwide flooding occurred on the heels of the drought the same year, affecting most parts of the country. The nationwide floods of 2006 killed more than 600 people, temporarily displaced 200,000 and adversely impacted the lives of 500,000 others. The 2006 floods demonstrated lack of early warning and preparedness, resulting in the loss of many lives. An early warning system is in place in Dire Dawa, where more than 300 people died last year and although flood preparedness has improved in Ethiopia, it remains weak. A flood risk alert was issued in June 2007 by DPPA's Early Warning Department in collaboration with the Flood Taskforce to raise awareness of the serious flood risk in the catchment areas of the Awash, Abay-Tana, Omo-Gibe, Baro-Akobo and Wabishebele Rivers during the main rainy season. ¶4. According to earlier climate forecasts by the National Meteorological Agency (NMA),the current kiremt rainy season will be analogous to those observed in 1970, 1979, 1995 and 2005. The flood alert risk was based on the seasonal NMA forecasts and other hydro-meteorological data and indicated a likely increase in the risk of flooding in flood prone areas in 2007, the scale of which has the potential to be worse than the 2006 kiremt season. The GOE and humanitarian partners issued a joint flood contingency plan on August 13 to mitigate the severe impact. Under the most likely mid-case scenario, an estimated 324,000 people will be affected by ADDIS ABAB 00002876 002 OF 005 the end of the flood season, assuming the overall impact of the flooding will be 25 percent less than that of the 2006 main rainy season. -------------- -------------- Overview of Flooding - When It Rains, It Really Pours... -------------- -------------- ¶5. During the main rainy season that extends from June to September (and through November in eastern parts of the country),the major rivers and tributaries carry high levels of discharge, which frequently cause severe flash and river flooding. Flooding in some areas of the country is inevitable when the main rainy season has high water quantity and distribution compared to unusual seasonal patterns. Flash floods typically occur in lowland areas of the country after heavy rains drench the highlands. The rainwater flows down to lowlands with great speed and force, often without warning or time for preventive measures. While both occur, much of the flood disasters in the country are related to rivers that overflow and burst their banks due to heavy rains and inundate lowland plains. ¶6. The rainfall in June normally starts low in amount and gradually increases, extending from south and west to the north, generally with a month break between the end of the belg and the commencement of the kiremt rains. However, this year's belg rains extended through June and continued with no sufficient gap, merging into the kiremt rains in some parts of the country. The amount and intensity of rains during June, and the unusually heavy rainfall in parts of the country has resulted in very high levels of soil saturation, increasing fears of landslides and flash flooding. Flooding continues to pose a significant risk as alarming increases in dam and river water levels were reported much earlier than normal this year. The torrential rains have caused rivers and lakes to overflow, resulting in extensive flooding, loss of human lives, livestock deaths, and destruction of crops and food stocks. The UN reports more than 200,000 people are affected, over 60,000 displaced and 51,000 hectares of crops destroyed to date in the country. -------------- Regional Flood Updates - Just How Bad Is It? -------------- ¶7. The DPPA-led joint verification assessment mission that included UN and USAID/OFDA staff conducted assessments during late August to early September in Amhara, SNNP and Afar regions; the official report is supposed to be forthcoming soon. According to the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS),field reports indicate that the most affected regions are SNNP, Gambella and Amhara regions. ¶8. AMHARA REGION: during August, flooding affected approximately 42,850 people, displaced 12,571, and damaged 20,300 hectares of crops in ten woredas in South Gondar, North Gondar, Oromiya, North Wollo and North Shoa Zones. As the water level of Lake Tana continues to rise, further displacement from surrounding woredas is expected. Flood water coverage has increased this year with occurrences of flooding in traditionally non-flood prone woredas such as Quara in North Gondar. Significant amounts of crops were destroyed when the River Megech burst its banks and inundated farms and grazing lands. WFP reports that the number of displaced is also increasing. In Amhara, a regional flood contingency plan was developed in August to address emergency and early recovery needs. The regional flood emergency coordination forum and woreda (district) sectoral taskforces were reactivated to coordinate response. Flood early warning messages have been communicated and ADDIS ABAB 00002876 003 OF 005 some precautionary measures have been taken including evacuation of at risk communities and relocation of livestock to higher grounds. ¶9. SNNP REGION: heavy rainfall in the western and central highlands resulted in flooding and landslides affecting 53,170 people and displacing 12,634. The overflow of the Omo River affected 25 villages and 1,515 households in Dasenech woreda. According to the DPPA-led verification assessment teams, 4,445 people have been displaced to Delegnmore relocation site and in other areas, 4,000 people were displaced by flooding from the Weytu River in Hamer zone, and flash flooding from Bilate River also affected people in Wolayita and Sidama zones. Heavy rainfall in parts of Sidama zone damaged crop fields and resulted in landslides. Sixteen people were reported to have been killed in addition to displacements in Kindo Didaya woreda. ¶10. GAMBELLA REGION: according to regional DPPB officials, flooding of the Baro, Akobo and Gilo Rivers was widespread in August, affecting over 55,850 people and further increasing food insecurity in the region. Seasonal flooding also displaced 24,500 people. Affected areas include Itang, Jor, Dimma, Godere, Jikaw, Wanthua, Lare and Gambella Zuria. WFP reports over 2,500 hectares of farmland destroyed, with additional heavy rainfall and hailstorms destroying other crops in Godere woreda. Although flood waters inundated grazing lands limiting access to pasture for livestock and increasing fears of water borne diseases, flood waters have reportedly begun to recede in many areas. Accessibility continues to challenge response efforts for regular relief beneficiaries and returnees in the west of the region. ¶11. TIGRAY REGION: heavy rainfall caused flooding in some areas affecting over 25,000 people and killing several hundred livestock. Despite good performance of crops in most woredas, an estimated 17,532 hectares of planted land was damaged by flooding. AWD has also re-appeared, posing a serious health threat (detailed in para 16). A regional team consisting of NGOs, WFP, regional Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development and DPPA officials are currently assessing impact of flooding. ¶12. AFAR REGION: seasonal flooding has occurred in areas along the middle and lower Awash, affecting Bure Mudaytu, Gewane and Awash Fentale woredas. According to UNOCHA, flooding from the Awash, Kebena and Bulga rivers has affected an estimated 26,420 people, of whom 10,600 are displaced in the three woredas. In Bure Mudaytu, 4,500 people were displaced along with two health clinics, two schools and food grain storage. Five villages in Abaala woreda and one village in Dallol woreda have also been affected by flash floods from the neighboring highlands of Tigray. [Note: the displacement of another 2,000 people had also occurred following volcanic activities in Teru woreda, Zone 4. DPPB reported five people and approximately 1,500 animals killed; DPPA dispatched food and supplementary food for six months in response. End note.] ¶13. SOMALI REGION: is also prone to recurrent floods, which have caused loss of human lives, displacement and considerable damage to livelihoods. The number of people affected ranged from 40,205 in 2005 to over 100,000 in 1997 and 2003. The latest wave of floods in 2006 hit a wider geographical area than before and affected larger populations. UNICEF estimates that the 2006 floods affected 361,619 people either directly or indirectly. Although it is too early to assess if weather forecasts are accurate, current forecasts by the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum indicate normal to below normal rains next month for the southeastern part of the ADDIS ABAB 00002876 004 OF 005 country. This means that while the chance for flooding is minimized, there is a higher probability of weather-induced food insecurity along with the myriad of other factors aggravating the humanitarian outlook in Somali Region (reported septel). -------------- Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) -------------- ¶14. In addition to flooding, some regions have been adversely affected by acute watery diarrhea (AWD). As a result of the excessive rainfall and floods, numerous families have been temporarily displaced and forced to seek shelter in poor quality settlements. Since sanitation facilities have been damaged or destroyed, access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities is very poor and AWD cases are also increasing due to displacements. Although obtaining comprehensive nationwide data is difficult due to political sensitivities and lack of open reporting, AWD cases continue to be reported amid fears that flooding could aggravate the already fragile situation. ¶15. In Amhara Region, AWD cases were reported in Oromiya, North Wello and North Gondar zones. 823 cases in Habru, 97 cases in Gubalafto, and 148 cases were reported from Metema woredas. In Oromiya Region, latest reports from the ERCS indicate a total of 3,680 AWD cases and 63 related deaths from June 25 - August 21, translating to an average rate of 64 cases per day for the 57 days. Although numbers are reportedly decreasing, AWD cases are still reported in Arsi zone with 813 cases and 14 deaths. While there has been a significant decrease in reported cases from Afar over the last month, AWD continues to be reported in Zones 1, 3, 4, and 5 with the majority of cases in Aysaita woreda. In Tigray, AWD cases have reemerged in the region with a total of 3,040 AWD cases with 26 deaths have been reported in seven woredas, with the majority of cases among laborers in Kafta Humera woreda. Although the caseload is starting to decrease, concern over spread of AWD to neighboring woredas is high as migrant workers move from the highlands during the harvest season. In SNNP, AWD cases declined in Gedeo and Guraghe zones but continue to be of concern in Sidama, Hadiya, Kambata Tembaro zones and Alaba special woreda. While there have been no official reports of AWD in Gambella Region recently, there are unconfirmed reports in Akobo and suspected cases among migrant workers from neighboring SNNP region. Although AWD has stabilized in Oromiya Region in August, new cases were reported in Borena, Arsi, East Shoa and Southwest Shoa Zones. Taskforces for the control and prevention of the disease were established in East and West Haraghe zone, contributing towards significant decreases. Although there are some AWD cases reported in parts of Somali Region, no statistics are available due to restricted access. ¶16. NOTE: In order to stem the spread of AWD, some regional governments requested international assistance. UNICEF is providing approximately USD 1 million for operational funding and drugs, intravenous and oral-rehydration fluids for treatment centers. WHO has assigned consultants and allocated funding for regional health bureau for response activities. Several NGOs are also engaged in community mobilization activities. USAID/Ethiopia has also allocated USD 100,000 in both SNNP and in Oromiya regions for the regional health bureaus towards AWD prevention and response efforts. End note. -------------- Flood Response Efforts -------------- ADDIS ABAB 00002876 005 OF 005 ¶17. The adverse human health consequences of the flooding are complex, far-reaching and difficult to attribute to the flood event itself. Little quantitative information exists on the impact of the floods due to underlying chronic health problems. Accessibility to the remote communities affected by the flood crisis continues to be a major challenge. The floods have severely reduced the utility of road travel in some areas and many communities can only be reached by boat. In some case, villages are inundated with crocodile infested flood waters, but boats are not available in the area. Distribution of non-food items and rescue boats continue to be a high priority. ¶18. Emergency response efforts are underway by the DPPA, NGOs and UN agencies. In a few locations, existing safety net resources were utilized to meet the immediate food needs of the flood affected population. On September 14, the WFP and the Ethiopian authorities announced a program of food assistance targeting some 60,000 people among the most affected by the floods in the country. USAID/OFDA funded two commercial airlifts into Addis on August 16 and 18 which contained 16 inflatable Zodiac boats with engines and spare parts, 100 flotation devices, 2,500 blankets and 1,100 rolls of plastic sheeting. Of the 16 Zodiac boats, DPPA has dispatched 1 to Gambella, 2 to SNNP, 2 to Amhara, pre-positioned 3 in Dire Dawa, with the remaining 8 in the Nazareth warehouse. DPPA has dispatched a total of 1,221 MT of relief food for approximately 60,600 flood affected people in the country. UNICEF, in partnership with DPPA, has pre-positioned boats for rescue efforts in most affected areas. UNICEF has also provided water purification sachets, bottles of water guard, jerry cans, plastic sheeting, emergency water and sanitation kits and blankets to affected populations. -------------- USAID Comment -------------- ¶19. USAID officers have voiced concerns over the seeming lack of efficiency and speed in which DPPA has responded to some of the flood areas. While early response in July to flooding in Gambella and Afar regions took place, subsequent DPPA response activities have not moved at the same urgency as field conditions dictate. Despite urgent appeals from joint GOE and UN flood assessment teams, the DPPA was slow to deploy rescue boats to flood affected areas for rescue operations. Confusion over the standing MOU with UNICEF also seem to have occurred (DPPA preferred exclusive consignment of the donated boats.) NGOs have also expressed frustration over DPPB regional rapid responses, however on a positive note, Amhara and Tigray regions were proactive this year in writing regional contingency plans/appealing for assistance. Agencies are eagerly awaiting the analysis of the impact of floods from the DPPA-led assessment verification teams. The GOE has yet to deploy the large quantities of non-food items that USAID/OFDA provided in 2005 as part of a non-food reserve stockpile with the EFSRA. Host government conservatism and bureaucracy seem to have delayed utilization despite urgent field needs. USAID recommends any further non-food items continue to be consigned to international implementing agencies such as UNICEF at this time. YAMAMOTO