Highlights
Government and humanitarian partners launched the revision of the Humanitarian Requirements Document (HRD) for the second half of 2016. The revised HRD seeks additional US$612.4 million to help 9.7 million people with emergency food and non-food assistance. The total amount required for Ethiopia is US$1.5 billion.
The 2016 Government-led belg assessment highlights national hotspot classification demonstrating a slight decrease in the number of priority woredas (districts) from 429 to 420, of which 206 are now ‘priority one’ woredas, but food insecurity and malnutrition rates remain alarming.
Some 420,000 children under age 5 are expected to require treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) untill the end of 2016.Severe flooding with unusually heavy kiremt (summer) rains in many regions in August 2016 and late but prolonged belg (spring) rains has affected more than 480,000 people, displaced close to 190,000 people, damaged several water points and presented an urgent need for water treatment chemicals and rehabilitation of water points.
Situation Overview
Mid-year assessment shows increase WaSH and Education needs
In June 2016, Government and humanitarian partners deployed some 210 staff to 38 zones in six regions to assess the impact of the belg (spring) rains on food production and livelihoods. The assessment brought in a revised Humanitarian Requirements Document (HRD) for the second half the year. Result of the assessment shows food insecurity and malnutrition rates are alarming with the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance having tripled since early 2015. The national hotspot classification updated in early July based on the findings of the belg assessment resulted in a slight decrease in the number of priority woredas from 429 to 420, of which 206 are now ‘priority one’ woredas. Some 420,000 children under age 5 are expected to require treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in 2016. The kiremt rainy season (June – September) and subsequent flooding is likely to cause an increase in the proportion of children with SAM complications due to an increase in morbidity.
Failed rains in 2015 and the El Niño-induced drought in 2016 significantly eroded coping capacities. Many regions experienced severe flooding with unusually heavy belg/spring rains in April/May 2016. However, some areas did not receive sufficient rainfall, and some people still do not have access to sufficient water. While these rains reduced emergency water trucking requirements in some areas, flooding affected more than 480,000 people, displaced close to 190,000 people, damaged several water points and presented an urgent need for water treatment chemicals and rehabilitation of water points. Reported cases of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) spiked sharply since mid-June as a result of poor hygiene and sanitation practices, population movements and religious gathering. Initially reported in Oromia,
Somali and SNNP regions, cases were later reported in Addis Ababa on 9 June 2016. Other endemic diseases such as measles, meningitis, malaria and scabies are burdening an already overstretched health system.
In January 2016 1.3 million children were unable to access learning opportunities as a result of the crisis and this number increased to about 4 million in June 2016. About 72 per cent schools in emergency affected areas have no school WASH facilities.
Drought and flooding continue to have a particular impact on women and children.
Drought and flooding in Ethiopia continue to have a particular impact on women and children. Result of the belg assessment shows that nearly four million children require school meals and school supplies once schools reopen in September. Meal rationing in food-insecure areas disproportionately affects women, exacerbating existing health problems, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Girls’ schooling is more affected than boys’ due to increased household demands and dwindling finances. Women and girls, and children from vulnerable families, are also more susceptible to gender-based violence (GBV), child labour, child marriage and other protection violations.
Furthermore, services, in most cases, do not take into account the needs of vulnerable groups which is a hindrance to accessibility.
While the El Niño phenomenon is subsiding, its humanitarian impacts will remain high well into 2017 with the continuation of flooding and diminished agricultural production. Besides, while good kiremt rains have been experienced in much of the country, the 75 per cent likelihood of a global La Niña event increases the risk of a drought in pastoral areas of southern Ethiopia and possible delayed or poor rains in early 2017.