Details of Payment

Emergency: Floods in Dire Dawa and South Omo, Ethiopia

Date of Emergency: August, 2006

Implementing Partner: The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, Development and Social Services Commission (EECMY-DASSC) and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church - DICAC

Details of the Emergency: Torrential rains have caused several rivers in Ethiopia to burst their banks and overflow, resulting in extensive flooding in many areas and subsequent loss of life. According to UNICEF, so far, 630 people have died from two major floods in separate regions – in southern and eastern Ethiopia.

Floods are relatively common in Ethiopia during the rainy season between June and September when heavy rains from the highlands flow into the low lands. However, in recent weeks, the flooding has been unusually intense.

The Omo River, which flows into Kenya’s Lake Turkana, burst its banks between 8 and 13 August. The Omo region is a remote area about 800 kilometres south of Addis Ababa. According to ACT members in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, Development and Social Services Commission (EECMY-DASSC) and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church - DICAC, the Omo Flood has killed 364 people and 2,790 livestock. Around 14 villages are flooded and the number of displaced has also risen to 8,350.

On 5 August, a flash flood hit Dire Dawa (525 kilometres east of Addis Ababa) after the Dechatu River burst its banks. The floods killed more than 260 people, swept away houses, vehicles and animals, destroying markets and shops and damaging infrastructure. Some 10,000 people are displaced by the flooding in Dire Dawa, and thousands are sheltering in temporary shelters.

ACT members in the country the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, Development and Social Services Commission (EECMY-DASSC) and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church - DICAC are proposing to provide immediate relief to a total of 3,000 people in the Dire Dawa and Omo.

Purpose of Response: The purpose of this rapid response is to provide immediate assistance to those affected by the floods in Dire Dawa and Omo region.

Beneficiary information and location of response: Both ACT members plan to assist a total of 3,000 persons affected by the floods in Dire Dawa and Omorate towns. Orphaned children, women, the disabled and the elderly who are in need of assistance will be given priority.

Proposed assistance: The rapid response funds will be used to purchase emergency relief supplies such as blankets, mattress and household utensils etc.

Implementation period: 2 months (1 September –31 October 2006)

BUDGET

Exchange rate US$ 1 = 8.6 Eth. Birr

ACTION

The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$ 50,000 towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment.