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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Source Data: 07/02/2005
A meeting was held between UN agencies, NGOs active in Afar region and
interested donors, chaired by OCHA, to discuss the reported emergency
condition in Afar region. DPPC Early Warning Department was invited but did
not attend. There was consensus that emergency needs exist in Afar region
in excess of those covered in the Appeal and that an immediate response is
essential.
The regional government Integrated Emergency Project Plan of 27 January
2005 (provided by the Region to the Federal DPPC on 27 January 2005) does
not include a situation analysis on the present drought and its
consequences. Immediate critical needs are not clear in the plan. There was
consensus that the massive region-wide response called for in the plan is
not appropriate and that more targeted interventions are needed
immediately.
Livestock
There was consensus that there is a pasture problem due to drought
conditions particularly in zones 4, 2 and 1
(map- overview). Nevertheless, the meeting
agreed general fodder supply, which forms a large part of the regional
Integrated Emergency Project Plan, should not be a priority for the
response because it is too expensive and is not a sustainable solution.
Instead, supplementary fodder should be provided together with health
treatment/ vaccinations for breeding livestock as an intervention to
protect livelihoods. Veterinary health interventions should be provided
free of charge as part of the response to the emergency.
Health and Nutrition
Some UN agencies and NGOs have done quick assessments regarding the health
and nutrition situation in different parts of Afar. One NGO indicated
serious malnutrition and high mortality rate among children under five in
Assayita Woreda, Zone 1; otherwise, there are no reports of mortality or
severe malnutrition. It was agreed that nutritional information gathered by
a number of NGOs indicate early signs of nutritional problems for children
and that remedial action is necessary now to ameliorate the situation. A
meningitis epidemic in zone 5 is reported although not substantiated by MOH
or UNICEF. In addition, lack of access to health services in Afar was
discussed. It was agreed that needs identified through an assessment in the
region should result in a formal request from the region to the federal
level for health assistance.
Water and sanitation
Water tankering activities suggested in the regional emergency plan may not
be cost effective. It was reported that water tankering activities are
underway in the most affected areas and further needs will be assessed by
UNICEF. Unusual rain was received in some parts of the region and rivers
have flooded in zone 4. It is hoped that rain will improve the situation in
the medium term for pasture and water availability, but still the need for
water tankering in some specific areas requires immediate attention.
Food
Food needs for the month of January have been distributed to beneficiaries
in all zones by WFP-DPPC. The food has been delivered to about 450,000
beneficiaries (both safety net and emergency beneficiaries). Discrepancies
remain on beneficiary numbers between FDPPC and RDPPB. The appeal states
457,112 food beneficiaries for 2005 for Afar while the regional Integrated
Emergency Project Plan increases that number to 560,030. It was suggested
the RDPPB Integrated Emergency Project Plan should be considered by the
Federal DPPC as forming an official request for a rapid assessment to
verify the additional needs. A question was raised as to whether
supplementary food was being distributed along with the general ration. WFP
has indicated to OCHA that they will follow-up in Afar to clarify the
situation regarding regular supplementary food distributions.
Coordination
It was agreed that the regional capacity to coordinate humanitarian efforts
is low and this needs particular attention to set priorities, avoid
duplication of efforts and wasting of scarce resources. OCHA will follow up
with Federal DPPC.
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