Details of Payment

Details of the Emergency: Heavy torrential rains in Ethiopia have caused severe flooding in the Amhara and Gambella Regional States affecting more than 60,000 people and destroying farmland, roads and homes. The intensity of the rainfall and the magnitude of the floods is reported to be worse than the 2006 rainy season in which approximately 98,000 people were affected in the various areas of the region. The rains in most parts of the regions have continued with similar intensity, and the National Meteorological Agency (NMA) forecast indicates serious risk of flooding in large areas and is feared to exacerbate the situation. Threats of water induced and water borne diseases such as malaria, acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) and others are a concern.

In Amhara where ACT member Ethiopian Orthodox Church–Development & Inter Church Aid Commission (EOC/DICAC) is present, heavy rains  have overflowed the catchments of the Blue Nile river and Lake Tana, affecting nine districts and 15 villages within the region. In Dembiya Woreda/district of N.Gondar zone in the Amhara regional state, the worst affected area in the region, 8,151 households or 40,755 people are in dire need of immediate assistance. 

An ACT Ethiopia Forum assessment reported a total of 1,614 ha of cropped land and a considerable amount of property loss in Dembiya Woreda/district of N.Gondar. Most of the flood victims are currently sheltered in individual houses and schools. Some displaced persons have received limited shelter assistance from the local government, but many communities still remain without any external assistance.

Similarly, several villages in Gambella town - Itang, Gog, Jor, Dimma, Jikawo, Lare, Wanthoa – are affected by the floods caused be the overflowing of Baro and Gillo rivers. According to ACT member Development and Social Services Commission, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), a government led emergency assessment team had described the situation as desperate. The displaced people are in need of food, blankets and shelter materials. In some places the team was unable to cross Baro River by boat because of the strong water force. In all these areas people who used to live by the riverbanks had to quickly flee their homes without taking their belongings. Many of them moved to dry upper areas and are admitted in temporary shelters.

In all shelters there is no adequate food and clean water. The rain has continued raining day in and day out. In Thatha area crocodiles attacked many cattle. The flooding has either damaged farmlands or completely washed away the crops. At Abol, the affected communities are sheltering in schools and public houses but many more are sheltered under big trees. Some children are reportedly affected by malaria and diarrhoea.

The flood-affected population has received no emergency food aid and medical support so far. Unless preventive action is taken ahead of time, pandemic and starvation could be potential threats in the area.

Purpose of Response: To provide immediate assistance to those affected by the floods.

Beneficiary information and location of response: EOC/DICAC plans to assist those who are vulnerable, particularly women and children in the Dembiya woreda/district in N.Gondar zone. EECMY proposes to provide similar assistance in the seven districts of Gambella.

Proposed Assistance: EOC/DICAC intends to provide urgent non-food items to 1,000 affected households in Dembiya district. This assistance includes blankets, house hold utensils and mosquito nets. EECMY will provide emergency relief supplies such as food assistance in the form of maize and oil for 3,514 persons while a total of 703 blankets will be distributed to women headed households and elderly.

Implementation Period: The implementation period will be carried out as soon as possible and will be finalised before the end of December 2007.

BUDGET

Relief Supplies for Dembiya Woreda in  Amhara Region

Relief Supplies Required for Gambela Regional State

Exchange rate US$ 1 = 9 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.