Key Issues
Government and humanitarian partners are prioritizing AWD response in line with the mid-year review of the 2016 HRD and the operationalized ‘National Preparedness and Response Plan for AWD
Enhanced and coordinated WaSH intervention is required to curb the spread of acute watery diarrhoea in the capital, Addis Ababa and the regions.
While water trucking is provided to non-receiving parts of the region, the Afar regional government is moving dwellers to highland areas to reduce the risk from the overflowing Awash river and Tendahoo dam
Drought exacerbated by El Niño, combined with extensive flooding, disease outbreaks and the disruption of basic public services, continue to have a negative impact on the lives and livelihoods of 9.7 million Ethiopians. Overall food security and agricultural production remain severely affected, with cascading effects on livelihoods, nutrition, health, water, sanitation, education and other sectors.
Humanitarian Partners Prioritize AWD Response
Humanitarian partners are working with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) to prioritize an acute watery diarrhea (AWD) response to support the Government of Ethiopia’s AWD response plan. Response activities are aligned with the mid-year review of the 2016 Ethiopia Humanitarian Requirements Document (HRD) and the operationalized ‘National Preparedness and Response Plan for AWD’, updated by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) in August.
Since the outbreak of (AWD) began in November 2015, heavy belg spring rains in April/May 2016 generated unseasonal flooding, which triggered an urgent need for water treatment chemicals and rehabilitation of water points. Increased use of surface water corresponded with a sharp increase of reported AWD cases in mid-June. Additional contributing factors include limited access to safe water, poor hygiene, and sanitation practices.
Initially reported in Moyale woreda, Oromia region during November 2015, AWD cases were confirmed in Addis Ababa on 9 June. During July and August, the outbreak spread to Afar, Amhara, Somali, SNNP, and Tigray regions. As of 18 August, nationwide, nearly 12,000 cases were reported in 208 affected woredas, with 58 per cent of cases being in Addis Ababa. With the current peak of the rainy season in August, subsequent flooding, and continued population movement, including mass gatherings for national and religious holidays, there is a high risk that AWD may continue to spread with considerable speed.
Response to Water related disease outbreaks restricted by flood and funding
Some 771817 people are affected by increased kiremt rains and subsequent floods in 98 woredas from seven regions. This has not only exacerbated water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) needs but also is having negative impact on existing and planned WaSH facilities.
The result of the 2016 joint Government and humanitarian partners’ belg assessment reported that nearly $115 is required to provide (WaSH) assistance to some four million beneficiaries in the second half of the year. Currently, the cluster needs an additional funding of over $30 million to respond to WaSH needs, including water related disease outbreaks such as acute watery diarrhea and scabies, in Addis Ababa and the regions.
Water trucking continues in the Afar region despite kiremt rains
Elida’ar and Bidu woredas of Afar region are receiving water trucking services in the kiremt season. Five water trucks, supported by NGOs (FURDA, DPFSPCO, AMREF) and the Wereda Administration, are providing clean water to the affected communities.
According to the National Disaster Risk Management Commission, disaster prevention and preparedness office of the region is moving dwellers in the Awash Basin to highlands for fear of the overflow of the Awash River. Similarly, people living nearby the Tendaho dam are being moved to other areas before the overflow affects lives and livelihoods. The rainfall data shows that most areas in the region have their monthly total rainfall amount between 6.5-240.7mm.
Meanwhile kiremt rains and flood have brought about active cases of AWD in the Afar region.
Elida’ar, Semurobi, Argoba special woreda, Dubti, Adaar, Amibara, Awash Fentale, Gelalo and Gewane woredas have reported cases since 13 July 2016. GOAL has provided 7,408 water purification chemicals for Asita and Afambo woredas. It also supported on the awareness creation of AWD at the community level in collaboration with the woreda health office.
For further information contact: ocha-eth@un.org