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Ethiopia

Relief Bulletin: Weekly Humanitarian Highlights in Ethiopia 18 Jun 2007

INCREASED RISK OF FLOODING

The National Meteorological Agency's (NMA) preliminary forecast for June to September indicates above normal Kiremt rainfall for most of the country. This corresponds with IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre predication of near to above normal rainfall over central, western and northern Ethiopia including central and northern Afar Region. These conditions have led the Hydro-meteorological Services to forecast an increase in the likelihood of flooding and water logging in major river basins and flood prone areas. Moisture stress is also expected in parts of southern Oromiya, northern Somali, southern Afar and southern SNNPR. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

AWD UPDATE

More than 95 percent of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) cases are currently being reported from 25 of the 60 affected woredas. Affected areas include Harari Region; Bale, Borena, East and West Hararge zones in Oromiya Region; Oromiya zone in Amhara Region; Gedeo, Sidama and Bench Maji zones in SNNPR and eight woredas in Somali Region. Seven WHO national consultants have been deployed to provide technical support to Regional Health Bureaus (RHB) in affected areas. In addition, WHO has allocated over US $37,000 to Oromiya RHB for training on case management and surveillance, procurement of essential drugs and monitoring and supervision in East Hararge zone. A further US $21,000 has been provided to Somali RHB for staff training on health and procurement of essential drugs. UNICEF in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (MoH) facilitated a two day workshop from 11 to 13 June in Dire Dawa for nearly 50 health workers from affected areas. The workshop aimed to strengthen participants' communication skills, hygiene and sanitation knowledge and to develop work plans for similar trainings in affected areas. For more information contact: who-wro@et.afro.who.int and aingabire@unicef.org

CONFERENCE ON WEATHER BASED INSURANCE

On June 13, the Food Security Coordination Bureau and WFP held a joint-workshop at ECA to discuss the multi-disciplinary application of weather-based indices. The workshop evolved from lessons learned and best practices gained during the 2006 Ethiopia Drought Insurance Pilot Project which used the financial vehicle of index-based weather insurance to transfer Ethiopian drought risk to international risk markets. A new software model for drought indexing designed specifically for the local context and co-developed by WFP, World Bank and FAO was introduced by the project team. This tool once fully developed, could greatly improve early warning as well as support agricultural decisions regarding planting time, irrigation and implementation of water harvesting programs. For more information contact: wfp.addisababa@wfp.org

WORKSHOP IN RESETTLEMENT HEALTH

MSF Holland in conjunction with the Amhara Bureau of Health, are holding a two day workshop in Bahir Dahr between 19-20 June on the issue of health care for migrant workers and resettlement areas. The workshop will explore the lessons learnt and challenges faced by MSF in their Kala Azar and HIV/AIDS programme in Abdurafi, Mierab Armachiho woreda, Amhara Region. Issues that will be addressed include malnutrition, prevention and treatment of Kala Azar and HIV/AIDS and the health care and quality of water and sanitation facilities in farm and resettlement sites. For more information contact: msfh-ethiopia-hao@field.amsterdam.msf.org

WORLD REFUGEE DAY

World Refugee Day will be commemorated around the world on 20 June. In Addis Ababa, the event will be marked by a panel discussion at the Alliance Ethio-Francaise on 18 June and a Refugee Arts and Crafts Exhibition on 19 June. For more information contact: brass@unhcr.org

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