Oromia Region 2017 Meher

Assessment Non- Food Report

By
Oromia Teams

16 December 2017

0
GENERAL INFORMATION

REGION OROMIA
ARSI
BALE
BORENA
EAST HARARGHE
EAST SHEWA
ZONES VISITED GUJI
NORTH SHEWA
WEST ARSI
WEST GUJI
WEST HARARGHE
TITLE OF THE ASSESSEMNT MEHER 2017 SEASONAL NON FOOD ASSESSEMENT
ASSESSEMENT STARTED DATE 18/12/2017
ASESSEMENT COMPLETED DATE 9/12/2017

1. Introduction

1
Oromia region is divided into 20 administrative zones and this year Meher 2017 Multi -
agency assessment teams covered 10 drought prone priority zones namely Arsi, Bale,
Borena, West Guji and Guji, West Arsi, North and East Shewa, West and East Hararghe
zones of the region. This assessment was carried out by four teams between November 18 to
December 9, 2017.

Oromiya region is one of the regions of the country that recurrently affected by drought and
weather related calamities. This year, the region particularly the lowland parts of the
aforementioned zones and areas bordering Ethio-Somali region has seriously affected by two
major emergency driving forces ;drought and manmade disasters/ conflict. The two major
emergency events, coupled with weather related calamities (Flooding, hailstorm, landslide
hazards), has seriously affected the lives and livelihoods of the people in the locations. There
is serious shortage of water and increased cereal prices in many locations leading to declining
nutrition status of children under-fives and PLWs.

To assess performance of the year 2017 meher rain and identify other emergency occurrences
and its impact on food and nonfood situation of the region, NDRMC has called for a Multi-
agency Meher assessment. Accordingly, a multi-agency emergency need assessment teams
were deployed and completed the emergency need within three weeks in the region. The
detail of the assessment findings, humanitarian concerns and possible recommendations are
given in this report.

2. Objective

 To assess the performance of the 2017 Meher season rain, occurrences of emergency
events and its impact on food security, human health and nutrition, WASH,
protection and Education situation in agro pastoral, pastoral and cropper areas of the
Oromia region.
 To identify areas where emergency non -food response is needed due to acute
problem and estimate the size of the population in need, required resources and
duration of assistance.
 To develop response plan and address potential emergencies through January to June
2018.

2
 3. Methodology
 Pre-departure two days training work shop was organized and given by NDRMC and
UNOCHA. Discussion on the assessment checks lists and other important meher
assessment related issues; experience sharing was made during this workshop.
 Pre-structured check lists were prepared and provided to team members by NDRMC.
 Both secondary and primary nonfood related data were collected using different
checklists,
 Visits were made at selected woredas, sample health facilities, schools ,Water point
and IDP sites and FDG,KII and physical observations were included as an assessment
tools
 Region, Zonal and woreda level briefing and Debriefing were held prior to and after
data collection respectively.
Assessment Findings

1. Health and Nutrition

1.1 Socio-demographic Profile of the visited zones

Ten zones were visited among the 20 zones of Oromia Regional State. The total population of
the assessed zones is estimated of 20,730,8441 among which 10,572,730 (51%) are male and
10,158, 114(49%) are female with male to female ratio of 1:0.98. Of the total 10 zones
populations, 3,406,242 (16.43%) are children under five and 4,587,957 (22.13%) are
reproductive age women (15-49 Yrs.) and 719,395 (3.47%) are pregnant and lactating women.

1.2 Health Assessment Findings

A total of 744 government owned health care facilities (health centers and hospitals) are
providing both curative and preventive services to the people at large without considering the
role of private health care facilities. Of the total 744 health care facilities in the 10 zones,
significant numbers of health facilities (26%) were having no access to pure water supply (193 of
health facilities). This shows that many health centers and health posts are providing health
services without having pure water supply.

1
Ethiopian central statistics agency population projection from 2007 EFY and IOM

3
 Table 1. Socio-Demographic Profile:

S.N Zone Total Male Female IDPs-total No of H. Facilities with

Population HCs/ potable water
hospital supply (Hosp.
and HC)
1. Arsi 3,466,667 1739373 1,727,294 5,738 108 84
2. Bale 1,836907 901313 935,594 96,688 88 42
3. Borena 1100000 561000 539,000 215,721 46 28
4. E/ Hararghe 3,737,469 1888362 1,849,107 209,834 120 101
5. E. Showa 1,393,034 710447 682,587 97 59 48
6. Guji 1,448,809 724430 724,379 43499 61 45
7. North Showa 1,467,555 748453 719,102 168 47 40
8. West Guji 1,424,267 726376 697,891 18501 42 28
9. West Arsi 2,316,136 1181229 1,134,907 783 87 70
10. West Hararghe 2,540,000 1295900 1,244,100 38,196 86 65
Total 15427270 10476883 5202966 57480 215 163
Source: Zone administration office and ODRMC, 12 December 2017

The populations in the assessed zones are composed of pastoralist, agro pastoralist, cropper and
some are traders.

1.2.1 Coordination and Public Health Management

Presence of Public Health emergency coordination forum was reported by all visited zones and
Woredas except part of Borena, Guji and West Guji Zones. For those Zones with PHEM
coordination forum, however, there were no regular meetings. Meetings used to be held
whenever there were some form of emergency occurrences and outbreaks. Similarly, all the
visited zones and Woredas were reported the presence of Emergency Preparedness and Response
plan in the respective zones and woredas except Guji and West Guji zones. Even those zones
claimed to have EPRP; the EPRP didn’t include reproductive health issues and also not budget
supported in most of the zones except in Borena and Arsi zones.

Presence of functional RRT was reported by all Zones except Borena, Guji and West Guji zones
and the RRT is reported to be active and functioning only during outbreaks. In most of the
visited zones and woredas, documents that show meeting held and plan of action proposed were
not available (not seen by the assessors). Likewise, in all the visited Zones and Woredas no
emergency reserve budget was allocated for emergency preparedness and response activities.

4
 Rapid Response Team (RRT) was found established at zonal, woreda and health facility level but
didn’t meet regularly. All assessed zones and woredas have Emergency Preparedness and
Response plan (EPRP) but none of them have access to emergency response fund.

In some of the zones and woredas, there are newly assigned health professionals that joined the
RRT team and also as PHEM officer but they didn’t take proper training on this specific tasks
and functioning. Thus training needs to be provided to regional, zonal and woreda level RRT and
PHEM officers on public health emergency management and rapid Response mechanism.

Table 2: Coordination & Public Health Management variables by different zones, Dec’17.

Presence of Presence of Is there

RRT at RRT at Is there a accessib
Is there a Public If yes,
Zone/ WHO H.C/Wored multi- Frequency of le
Health Emergency how
level? a level? sectorial PHEM emerge
preparedness and much
S/N Zone (Yes/No) (YES/No) PHEM meeting? ncy
response plan? Does allocat
coordination [Regular/Irregu respons
it include ed
forum? lar] e fund?
reproductive health? (Birr)
[Yes/No] (Yes/No
)
Yes Yes
 1 Arsi Yes Irregular/Ad-hoc Yes No 0
Yes Yes Y, but it does not
2 Bale Yes Irregular/Ad-hoc No 0
include RH
Yes No Yes (but not
3 Borena Irregular/Ad-hoc Yes No 0
in all woredas
East Yes Yes Yes, but does not
4 Yes Irregular/Ad-hoc No 0
Hararghe include RH
East Yes Yes Yet, but does not
5 Yes Irregular/Ad-hoc No 0
Shoa include RH
6. Guji Yes No No Irregular/Ad-hoc No No 0
North Yes Yes
Yes, but does not
7 Showa Yes Irregular/Ad-hoc No 0
include RH,
West Yes No
8 Guji No Irregular/Ad-hoc No No 0

West Yes Yes

Yes, but does not
9 Arsi Yes Irregular/Ad-hoc No 0
include RH,
West Yes Yes
10 Hararghe Yes Irregular/Ad-hoc Yes, but has no RH No 0

1.2.2 Morbidity: Top five causes of morbidity

5
 In all visited zones the top five commonly reported diseases among under five population are
somewhat similar. Throughout the zones Pneumonia, Diarrhea, acute respiratory infections,
acute febrile illness and skin infection are the common causes of morbidity among this age
group. Similarly, among above five year age group, diseases of musculoskeletal, Dyspepsia, AFI,
AURTI and diarrhea (Non –bloody) are being reported as priority diseases.

1.2.3 Case and Death of major Outbreak prone diseases:

In the visited zones a number of cases and sometimes deaths were reported in line with different
outbreak prone diseases. In Bale and Arsi Zones presence of Acute Watery Diarrhea and measles
outbreak was reported in the past three years. However, no outbreak of any type was reported in
the past three months by both Zones.

Similarly, in West and East Hararghe Zones presence of AWD, Malnutrition, Malaria and
Scabies outbreak in the past three years were reported. More than thousands of people were
affected by scabies outbreak in both East and West Hararghe zones. Outbreaks of scabies and
AWD were also reported in the past three months in the same zones. In addition, in East
Hararghe Malaria outbreak and in West Hararghe 26 suspected rabies cases were reported.

As indicated in the table below AWD has been a recurrent outbreak in the region in general and
in the assessed 10 zones in particular in the year 2016 and 2017. Considering the presence of risk
factors such as low pure water supply and toilet facility coverage and poor hygiene practices,
AWD will remain to be a threat in the region. Hence, preparedness work for AWD and other
outbreak prone diseases needs to be done along with different interventions that would help to
either avoid or minimize risk factors for outbreak prone diseases including AWD.

Table 3: Distribution of AWD cases and deaths in the visited 10 zones in the year 2016/2017, Oromia Region

No. of Affected Total Cases to Attack

S.N Zone/Town At Risk Population CFR/100
Woredas Date Rate/1000

1 East Hararghe 22 3,198,062 2,439 0.76 0.37

2 Bale 15 1,381,650 2,131 1.54 0.23

3 West Hararghe 17 2,151,628 1,114 0.45 2.24

6
4 Borena 6 526,790 409 0.78 0.98

5 North Shewa 8 1,381,799 401 0.29 2.24

6 West Arsi 13 1,544,283 394 0.26 1.27

7 Guji 7 635,078 345 0.54 2.03

8 East Shewa 7 954,284 329 0.34 0.61

9 West Guji 1 133,718 278 2.08 1.80

10 Arsi 12 1,668,785 170 0.10 0.59

Sub-Total 108 13,576,078 8,010 0.71 1.2

Source: Oromia Regional Health Bureau, Dec 2017

1.2.4 Anticipated Epidemics in the coming six months(January-June 2018)

Many parts of the assessed zones have areas that are currently facing food shortage, drought and
erratic rain fall, conflict, potential malaria breeding sites, low latrine coverage, poor sanitation
practice and inadequate clean water supply that could put at risk the population to health and
nutrition emergency situations. As the dry season progresses, situation may evolve rapidly in
these zones and in the presence of the aforementioned risk factors, Measles, Malaria,
Malnutrition, Acute Watery diarrheal and Scabies disease outbreaks are anticipated to occur in
the coming January- June 2018 or beyond.

1.2.5 Preparedness and Response Capacity of the Region

As indicated in table 2 above, there is an established platform for management of public health
emergencies in each zone and in most of the visited Woredas. However, there is only very
limited preparedness in terms of logistics and financial capacity to respond timely to outbreaks
and natural disasters. Management of disease outbreaks requires strong coordination system and
organized emergency response plan with adequate financial and material resources that are
available at all levels. In the visited zones and Woredas, the existing system is incomplete
particularly in terms of having regular meeting, documenting lesson learnt and practice,
operational budget. Some of the Woreda offices and health facilities reported that they have
shortages of even syringe and glove at the time of this assessment. The assessment teams
strongly recommend to having better coordination, regular meeting and further strengthen the

7
existing PHEM system for effective and efficient epidemic prevention and emergency responses
in the priority locations.

1.2.6 Availability of drugs and supplies for Emergency Response

According to the report of visited health facilities, Woreda offices and zonal level discussions,
there is relatively better provision of emergency drugs and supplies including nutritional supplies
in the past months. However, currently, lack of Coartem, CTC kits, RDT for meningitis, RDT for
malaria test, gloves, syringes with needle, RH kits, and routine antibiotics for SAM management,
Vitamin A capsules were reported in some of the Woredas. On the other hand, shortages of these
drugs including RUTF and shortly expiring therapeutic milks (F-75, F-100) were reported in
some of the visited Woredas. In general, shortages of this listed drugs and supplies are common
across zones and most of the currently available emergency drugs and medical supplies will only
be adequate for one month. Hence, it needs to be replenished immediately. Current stock of
Emergency drugs and Supplies and estimated amount for coming three months are annexed
separately-Annex 1)

1.2.7 Reporting:

All Zones’ and Woredas’ health offices and health care facilities are regularly reporting PHEM
report to the next higher level. The reporting system is similar in all the visited Woredas.
However, completeness and timeliness of reporting and documentation is still a problem at all
levels where it is particularly a big concern at health care facilities and Woreda level.

1.2.8 Limitation

 Unavailability of accurate, reliable and ready to use data at Woreda level. Sometimes
inconsistencies of data between Zone with Woreda, and Woreda with health facility,
 Short data collection period compared with detail and too technical assessment tools
that require time and technical person on the ground,
 Incomplete representation of sector offices into the assessment team negatively affected
the data collection/quality

1.2.9 Challenges/Problems identified:

8
  Weak coordination and collaboration among sector offices and absence of regular
coordination forums,
 Logistic shortage for outbreak response,
 Emergency budget constraint at all level,
 Shortage or absence of emergency drugs and supplies for immediate public health
emergency response,
 Low water supply coverage and water shortage even in health care facilities,
 Low toilet facility coverage and lack of toilet facility at some health institution and
schools,
 Transportation problem for outbreak investigation and response,
 Shortage of CTC Kit,
 Lack of credible data both at woreda and zonal level including data discordance
between Zone with Woreda and Woreda with health facilities.
 Shortage of therapeutic food and routine drugs,
 The reproductive health issues not incorporated in to PHEM preparedness and response
plan at all level except two zones.

1.2.10 Recommendations:
 Sectorial emergency task forces and coordination forums needs to be revitalized to the
extent regular meetings conducted and documented with minutes even in the absence of
emergency situation.
 Experts at all level needs to be supported and advised to incorporate RH issues into
emergency preparedness and response plan so as to provide all public health emergency
services including emergency reproductive and sexual health services.
 Logistics and emergency budget is very crucial to respond to health emergencies early
and to limit the spread of an outbreak. Hence, all concerned government body and
humanitarian partners should understand the importance of having emergency budget at
zone and Woreda level to safe life and limit the spread of outbreak and support health
offices at all level to allocate budget and to have basic logistics for surveillance,
prevention and outbreak response.

9
  Continuous and sustainable provision of emergency drugs and medical supplies by
regional health bureau for immediate outbreak response.
 Water and sanitation is key to control a number of epidemic prone diseases. Hence, the
current low water supply and toilet facility coverage needs be lifted up and to this effect
government should strive to build new water schemes and increase toilet facility
coverage through strengthening health extension program and through working closely
with partners.
 Partners working on distribution of CTC kits needs to be approached and the minimum
required number of kits needs to be available for an immediate outbreak response(s).
 Regional health bureau, Zonal and woreda health offices needs to undertake regular
supervision and trainings to build the knowledge and skills of PHEM and other related
officers on data management at all level.
 Provision of timely emergency nutrition /food in full basket for all target population.
 Regional government should capacitate zone and woreda level sector offices on
credible and real time data management.

1.3 Nutrition Assessment Findings

This time of normal year, majority part of the region shows better food and nutrition situation
relatively. However, due to the sustained food insecurity and drought situation particularly in low
land woredas, occurrences of weather related calamities (Flooding, hailstorm, landslide hazards,
etc) in zones, serious shortages of water in many locations, negative impacts of poor
performance of both livestock and crop production of the previous years coupled with ongoing
conflicts and instability in some woredas of zones and improper utilization of the available
resources, are leading to /resulted in / deteriorating nutrition condition amongst children under
fives and PLWs in some of the visited zones; lowland parts of Bale, West Hararghe, some parts
of Borena, Guji and West Guji, parts of East Hararghe and some Lowland woredas of Arsi zones
of the region. Because of these and related factors, there is an evident creeping malnutrition
situation even currently.

Nutrition situation and some other basic necessities are in a particular concern (humanitarian
concern) in locations where IDPs are currently residing and in woredas where border conflicts
are on and off evident.

10
Furthermore, as the dry season progress, the current creeping malnutrition condition may
continue to further deteriorate and apparently expected to worsen in the coming months unless
better preparedness and well-coordinated emergency interventions are kept in place timely. For
instance, there is a serious shortage of water problem in the 9 lowland woredas of Bale zone,
Gololcha and Shenen Kolu woredas of Arsi zone, low land Part of East and West Hararghe zones
currently which further exacerbate the emergency situation in the locations.

1.3.1 SAM Management

Decentralized Community based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) program has
been implemented in all the 20 zones of Oromiya Region. A total of 6394 health posts and
health centers and 290 health centers and hospitals have been providing outpatient and inpatient
treatment services respectively. These services are distributed in 290 woredas and 64 town
administrations. About 46 hospitals are currently providing inpatient services in the region.

However, temporary TFP service interruption and facilities closure were reported and also seen
in some of the visited woredas. Furthermore, some of the health facilities are closed in some of
the conflict affected kebeles as both the people and HWs are displaced. However, the respective
ZHDs and woredas offices are trying to resume and reach out the people at the current IDPs sites
and locations through establishing temporary site services in the community and outreach sites as
identified appropriate. But the service provisions are not complete and only limited to some
accessible sites because of various operational /logistics/ constraints and safety and security
concerns.

Overall regional level TFP admission analysis indicates that the January –October 2017 TFP new
SAM admission is in an increasing trend and higher compared to the same time of 2016
Admission.

11
 Year
New TFP Admission jan-Oct 2016 VS 2017 2016
16,000

14,000
New TFP Admision/month

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Months

Fig 1, New TFP Admission Jan-Oct 2016 compared with 2017

Regional level comparison of the 2016 TFP admission with the same time of this year revealed
that there is an increasing trend in 2017 especially in the last four months. Similarly, comparing
the October 2017 TFP admission to October 2016, a 21.3% notable increase recorded in the
admission in this year (2017) with almost similar reporting rate. This is an indication for the
presence of concerning nutrition situation in the visited zones and also signs of early start of
increased malnutrition situation particularly in the lowland eastern and southern belt of the
region.

12
 2016
New TFP Admission, Jan-oct 2016 VS 2017,Oromiya 2017

16,000

14,000

12,000
New TFP Admission/month

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Months

Fig 2. New TFP Admission Jan-Oct 2016 compared with 2017,oromia region

1.3.2 Performance Indicators of the therapeutic feeding program for SAM

During the assessment, the TFP performance indicators of each visited woredas were observed on
monthly basis and for the region total.
Overall, the January –October 2017 key TFP performance indicators remain very good and well
above the international SPHERE standards2 for the region: overall cure rate of 91.5%; death rate
0.1%; and default rate at 0.8% and with an average reporting rate of 89.4% for the region.

2
TFP performance indicators: Acceptable Cure Rate > 75% and Alarming Cure Rate < 50%, Acceptable Defaulter
Rate <15% and Alarming > 25%, Acceptable Death Rate <10% and Alarming Death rate >15%

13
 Jan-oct 2017 New TFP Admission and Performance Indicators, oromiy

12,000 100.0%
90.0%
10,000
80.0%
TFP New Admission/month

70.0%
8,000
60.0%

RR%
6,000 50.0%
40.0%
4,000
30.0%
20.0%
2,000
10.0%
0 0.0%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct (blank)
Months
Total Admission Cure Rate Death Rate Defaulter Rate
Report Rate

Fig 3 Summary of TFP performance indicators, May- Oct 2017, Oromiya Region

From the visited zones, higher TFP admissions were reported from East Hararghe, West
Hararghe, Arsi, West Arsi, Bale, Guji and West Guji zone in the last six months (May –October
2017) in the same order respectively which is almost in line with the regional level trends.

Jan- Oct 2017 TFP Admission, Bale zone

Fig 4. Bale
Zone TFP
Admission from
Jan-Oct 2017
Fig 4 above
890
821 766 depicts an
729 668 670 680 675
653
551 increasing trend
of acute
malnutrition
ry ar
y ch ril ay ne ly us
t
be
r r
ua ru ar Ap M Ju Ju u g m obe among children
n b M e t
Ja Fe
A pt oc
Se under five in
Bale zone. This implies that there will be further deterioration in nutritional status of children

14
 and PLWs as the dry season progresses particularly in the nine lowland woredas where water
shortage is also apparent and at serious situation even currently. The situation needs well-
coordinated and organized multi-sectroral interventions immediately.

Fig 5. TFP admission performances and trends May-October 2008/09 compared to 2009/10 E.C

In 2016, the TFP admission has shown a declining trend from May to October in Arsi zone
particularly towards October but the admission trend was almost in an increasing trend this year
which is unusual for this time of normal year particularly in lowland woredas.

In the visited woredas of East and West Hararghe zone, the number of children with SAM
admission cases was normal and nearly sustained in the last six months ecpt in Bale woredas of
East Haraghe zone. The decreasing trend may be because of nutrition services carried out in
connection to TSFP and the increasing trend both for SAM and MAM cases in Babile might be
associated with the recurrent drought and border conflict with Ethiopian Somali region.
Similarly, the nutrition situation in North Shewa, Western Arsi and East Shewa was similar to the
normal trend. However, malnourished cases are expected to increase in areas affected by disasters
such as flood (Hidhabu Abote, Wachale, Shashamene, Fantale), and in woredas having household
food insecurity (Shala, Adamitulu-Jido Kombolcha).

1.3.3 MAM Management

15
Community Health Days (CHD) and routine screening programs are being undertaken every month
and used to identify malnourished cases and supports active case finding and referral linkages to
OTPs and to TSFP sites where applicable. Most of the woredas in the region are undertaking
monthly MUAC nutritional screening whether they are priority I or not.
In the recent October 2017 screening, a total of 2,693,216 children 6-59 months and 561,871 PLWs
were screened in the region with 58 % and 54% screening coverage respectively. A total of 111,052
MAM and 7,774 SAM children and 107,227 PLWS with MUAC <23 cm were identified in this
screening. This is shows that the Proxy SAM is 0.3% and Proxy MAM 4.1% for children and
Proxy MAM of 19.1% for PLWs (to be checked)

During the June 2017 hotspot classification exercises, sixty four woredas were classified as priority
one in the region that are prioritized from 10 zones. Nearly all these priority 1 woredas are lowland
or drought prone areas that have been recurrently affected by food and nutrition crisis. Based on
monthly MUAC screening result, TSFP is being given for both under-five children and PLWs-
MAM cases with some delay and interruption some times. The ongoing MAM intervention has
tremendous positive impact and preventing widespread Severe Acute Malnutrition among children
and PLWs in the region.
Screening coverage & Number

140000 6-59 Months Screening Data,Jan-oct 2017,oromia 0.9

120000 0.8
0.7
100000
0.6
80000 0.5
60000 0.4
0.3
40000
0.2
20000 0.1
0 0
(blank) 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 Jul 2017 2017 2017
(blank) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Aug Sep Oct

#MAM 6-59mo #SAM 6-59 mo % 6-59mo coverage

Fig 6. Jan-Oct MUAC screening Performance, oromiay region.

16
Overall, there is a slight increasing trend of acute malnutrition in the region both among children
and PLWs based on the MUAC screening undertaken from January to October 2017 with almost
similar screening coverage.
For instance, the May to October 2017 screening result for under five children in Gololcha and
Shenen Kolu woredas of Arsi Zone, Dawa Kachine and Guradamole woredas of Bale zone and
the MAM admission for PLWs in Borena zone was in an increasing trend(fig 2,3,4,5,6).

Jun- Oct 2017 Nutrition screening result for Gololcha

MAM U5
MAM
1214 PLWs

1026 SAM
987
942
889
876
754
658
563

354

50 73 72 59 62
Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-17 Oct-17

Fig 7 Jun- Oct 2017 Nutrition screening result for Gololcha, Arsi zone

MAM PLWs
May- Oct 2017 Nutrition screening result for She.Kolu woreda
MAM U5
SAM
2064 2084
1653
1615 1683
1515
1192 1276 1193
1130
998 887

47 39 78 69 99 64
May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-17 Oct-17

Fig 8. Screening MAM result both for U5 and PLWs for Sh/Kolu woredas, Arsi zone, May-October 2017

17
In general, 10 Weredas in West Hararghe zone are under the support of TSFP since June 2017
and the number of children with SAM admission cases in the zone and visited Weredas are
nearly sustained in the last six months. However, children with MAM cases steadily increased
from 23,735 cases in May, 2009 to 28,167 cases in October 2010 E.C (Fig.4).

35000
Total # of children with
30000 new admission of SAM
2009-2010
25000 Total # of children with
MAM cases 2009-2010
20000

15000

10000

5000

0
May June July August September October

Fig.9 Total number of children with SAM and MAM cases trend analysis from May, 2009- Oct, 2010,
W/Hararghe.

In the case of East Hararghe, the total number of MAM cases among children and PLW has
decreased from 63,540 in May to 47,943 in October, 2010 E.C. This decreasing trend may be
explained by weak or interrupted screening program in some of the woredas and also partly
because of continuous availability of TSFP. In Babile Woreda MAM case has shown increasing
trend. However, presence of Proxy GAM above 20% in Gola Oda and Midega Tola Woredas in
the recent screening is a concern.
In Bale zone, eight lowland woredas (Dawe Kachen, Dawe Serer, Delo Mena, Harena Buluk,
Lege Hida, Meda Welabu, Rayitu and Sewena) were classified as priority I during June 2017
hotspot classification and they are receiving TSFP resource every month with some irregularly.
Currently, all these woredas are severely affected both by the drought and the conflict and
requires special attention. For instance, in the month of October 2017, a total of 14,737 children
were identified as MAM with MUAC nutritional screening which was undertaken in all the 18
woredas and town administrations of the zone. Of which 11,157 MAM cases were from the 8

18
 priority 1 woredas (76% of zone total MAM cases) and admitted to TSFP program. Similarly, a
total of 16,349 PLWs were screened in October 2017 in the zone and 82 % (13,404) of the MAM
–PLWs were identified from the aforementioned 8 priority 1 woredas. This clearly indicates the
presences of serious malnutrition situation in the zone currently that possibly deteriorate further
in the coming months.

May- Oct 2017 Nutrition screening result for Da/Kachine wored, Bale zone
MAM U5

788
MAM PLWs
707
680
606 607
553 564 SAM
502
426
396

49 41
12 0 14 18
May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-17 Oct-17

Fig. 10.. Screening MAM result both for U5 and PLWs for Da/ Kachine woreda, Bale zone, May-October 2017

May- Oct 2017 Nutrition screening result for Gu/Damole woreda

MAM PLWs
MAM U5
SAM
2016

1183

563 493
479 459
458
369 380
365 370
324
20 13 18 31 20 28
May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-17 Oct-17

Fig 11. May- Oct 2017 Nutrition screening result for Gu/Damole woredas,Bale zone

19
Fig 12 Comparison of MAM admission Dollo Mena, Bale zone

Trend of SAM among Childs in M/Walabu woreda, May-October

2017
120 120
100 100
Number

Percentage (%)
80 80
60 60
40 40
20 20
0 0
May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-17 Oct-17
Month
# of child with SAM % Screened % of OTP/SC reported

Fig 13 Trend of SAM Admission ,Meda Walabu woredas, Bale zone, May-October 2017

In Western Arsi Zone, malnutrition situation is stable and similar with its last year trend and a
decreasing pattern from September to October; whereas, severely acute malnutrition remains
almost constant from July to October 2017(fig 7).

20
 Jul -oct 2017 SAM and MAM trend, W/ Arsi Moderately
Acute Malnu-
Number of malnutrition cases

trition
800
Severely
600 Acute Malnu-
trition
400

200

0
July August September October
Months

Fig.14. Moderately and Severely Acute Malnutrition, West Arsi Zone, July to October, 2017

On the other hand, from monthly low TFP admission point of view, one may overlook Borena
zone. In Borena zone, priority given for children and they are served first for food and related
basic necessities. Because of this strong and long standing cultural reason, malnutrition usually
not easily observed among children but rather among adults. For instance, from the MUC
screening result which was undertaken in the last six months (May-October 2017), the coverage
of the screening performances for children and PLW was 83% and 97% respectively. Out of the
total screened PLWs and Children, the Proxy GAM ranges from 24% to 33% for PLW and 3.6%
to 6% for children in the Zone during the last six Months (fig3). The monthly MUAC screening
results reflect the presence of adult malnutrition situation particularly among the PLWs in the
zone. In line with this finding’s and also water shortage in many woredas of the zone, Borena
zone is also categorized as one of the priority zones in the region.

21
Fig 15. Screening performance for PLWs and children, Borea zone, May-October 2017

1.3.4 Availability of therapeutic Supplies:

Availability of nutrition supplies and routine drugs for treatment of malnutrition was assessed
and evaluated based on the availability and sufficiency of the items for the coming three months.
Relatively speaking therapeutic drugs and supplies for SAM managment were avilable in the
past three months in all the visited woredas except some shortgaes in some woredas. Lack of
some routine antibiotics and shortly expire therapuetic milks were reported in 3 some woredas of
Arsi(seru, Shirka and Shenen Kolu) and some woredas of East and West Hararghe zones.
Regarding supply sufficiency, most of the woredas visited have supplies that will be adequate
enough to cover for the next 2-3 months in Borena, West and Arsi and West Guji , East Shewa
and North Shewa and Guji zone and but in some woredas of Bale, Arsi and in East and West
Hararghe zones, the supplies such as VA capsules, F100, F75, RUTF, Routine antibiotics needs
to be replenished as soon as possible.

22
1.3.5 Reporting

In most of the visited health facilities and woredas offices, both TFP and TSFP recording and
reporting system requires improvement. The assessment teams noted incomplete and inconsistent
monthly reports and data discrepancies even at zonal level. NOGs supported woredas have better
reporting, recording and data utilization system relatively. The team recommends having
improved data collection, recording, reporting, data analysis, utilization exercises and data
management system at all levels.

1.3.6 Training

In most of the visited woredas, staff turnover is very high at health institutions and woreda
offices. Additionally, there are newly assigned health professional and HEWs who are untrained
on SAM and MAM management. It is important to conduct a need assessment and provide the
necessary training on SAM and MAM management for the HWs and HEWs.

1,3.7 Flooding

During Meher 2017 rainy season, about 966 HH were displaced due to Awash River over flow
and water released form Koka dam instigating unexpected flood in the area in 7 kebeles of three
districts viz. Jaju (3 kebeles), Merti (3 kebeles) and Sire (1 kebele). All got assistance and
currently on resettling. Similarly, in Gololcha distric, there are 1072 HH and 1420 HH affected
by flood and land slide respectively in need of shelter/NFI but not displaced. However, there
were no death and outbreaks from the flooding.
1.3.8 Health and Nutrition Condition in the IDPs

23
Out of the 10 visited zones, large number of IDPs were residing in East Haraghe, Borena, Bale,
Guji, West Harargeh and West Guji zones that are displaced mainly due to the conflict erupted
between Ethio-Somali and Oromo community. Other factors like drought, flooding and landslide
were also caused displacement of people in some of the visited woredas

Some kinds of food and non-food supports from different governmental (NDRMC, ODRMC,
Zonal bureaus and woredas offices, the communities as well as NGOs (ERCS, Dan church aid
and IRC, CARE, IOM,etc) were provided to some of the IDPs at various locations. Most of the
supports being given to IDPs were from the community. The support provided was important in
saving the life of people but was not adequate to address the various community needs.
Furthermore, the number of displaced people is increasing from time to time according to the
woredas and zone level reports.

In most of the visited IDP sites, the team observed that the health care and nutrition service
provision is inadequate or not at all. Most of the woredas reported that they are trying to provide
some health and nutrition services with the available resources but they don’t have adequate
financial, logistics and related resources to provide better health and nutrition services. The
situation is more difficult for pregnant mothers and children where they don’t have even night
cloths. From FGD with the IDPs, the team also noted that, IDPs requested to pay for health
service in some of the visited woredas (e.g in Meda welabu and Dolo Mena, Guradamole,
Raytu). On the on the other hand for example, in Dawa Kachine woread of Bale zone, HWs and
HEWs were seen providing health and nutrition services in temporary shelters which is very
good support for the IDPs. Similarly, woreda administration in Shenen kluo and Gololcha
woredas, is providing assistance to IDPs ( house rent, providing free treatment, clothes, food and
non-food items, etc).

In conclusion, health and nutrition services are the top priority for the IDPs and they require
immediate and continued medical and nutritional assistances. In the visited zone, there are about
111,944 IDPs HHs and out of which very small number of HHs received NFI and the rest are
still waiting for it reportedly.

1.3.9 Main Gaps/challenges identified/observed on emergency nurition program

24
  Lack of operationl budget for supportive suppervision and monitoring activities
particuallry to support IDPs
 Weak linkage between TFP and TSFP in some places.
 Shortage of some routine Drugs and TFP supplies including vitamin A capsule in some
woredas
 Delay and inadequate TSFP supply and some times interruption in some woredas.
 Transportation and logistics problem at woreda offcies and at catchement health centers to
support IDPs in nutrtion service provision.
 Shortage of safe drinking water at health facility levels particularly at health centers and
health posts.
 Shortage of getting real time and credible data both at woreda and zonal levels

 In some location IDPs were not included in the recent screening

 Some of the kebeles in a woreda are inaccessible and are hard to reach to provide health
and nutrition services. They require MHNTs
 Repeated AWD outbreak in the some zone in general may further affect the already
deterioarting nutrtional status of childern and PLWs in seom zones.
 IDPs are leading a measirable life currently in most of the locations and they require
immediate and continued medical and nutritional assistances.

1.3.10 Conclusion and Recommendations

Conclusion:
The following major findings were obtained from this year Meher asseemt :

 This time of normal year, the malnutrition rate start to decline particularly in the lowland
woredas of the visited zones as households’ harvest some of the crops. However, the
reverse is happening these days in some of the zones as the crop performance was so poor
or totally failed or not planted at all because of the long dry-spell, conflicts and or totally
destroyed by flooding or hailstorm disasters that has happen in some of the locations (e,g
woredas in Arsi and Bale zones,).
 Furthermore, market prices of staple cereals start to decline for this time of normal year in
many zones, but it is rather increasing sharply in the local markets at the time of this

25
 assessment. For example, stable cereals market prices has shown a sharp increase in Seru,
Gololcha, Shenen kolu, woredas of Arsi zone and Raytu, Delo Mena and Meda Welabu
woredas of Bale.
 On top of this, there is serious shortages of water in some of the visited woredas(mainly
low land) that are further aggravating deterioration of the nutritional status of children and
the community in general in the lowland woredas of Arsi, Bale, West Hararghe, West
Arsi, etc).
 Poor access to water supply and sanitation, and unhygienic practices, both in the host
communities and IDPs sites were noted. These locations can be immediate risk factors for
the occurrence and spread of AWD in the region.
 Inadequate Preparedness and response capacity with regard to keeping stocks of
emergency drugs and medical supplies, securing contingency budget, and coordination.
 The decentralized CMAM program (both TFP and TSFP) is a key nutrition intervention in
reducing child morbidity and mortality in the region and so far it has an encouraging
performance and service coverage in the assessed woredas. This program needs to be
strengthened further to maximize the positive impacts and increase child survivality. To
this end the health facilities and the HWs/HEW are the central point in bring this
encouraging performances and to be better equipped with the necessary resources.
 Overall regional level TFP admission analysis indicates that the January –October 2017
TFP new SAM admission is in an increasing trend and higher compared to the same time
of 2016 admission. The current observed malnutrition situation among children and PLWs
in some woredas may deteriorate further as the dry season progresses. Well organized
preparations, close follow up and intervention need to be put in place.
 Generally, this assesment findings clearly indicate that there will be increased number of
malnutrition cases in many lowland woredas of the zone in the coming months as early as
beginning of 2018 unless measures and preparations are put in place to prevent
deterioration and respond timely.

Recommendations:
 To increase SC and OTP coverage at all primary hospitals and health centers and to avail
both SC and OTP services always.

26
  All priority I Woredas and second generation (TSFP) Woredas need to get TSFP supplies
regularly and storage room capable of accommodating at least two month TSFP supplies
should be arranged.
 Effort should be made by zones and woreda health office head and nutrition focal person to
persuade cabinet to allocate enough budget for nutrition and other health emergency work.
 To avoid or minimize the number of children left unlinked to TSFP after recovering from
SAM, referral system for MAM cases to TSFP needs to be established.
 To protect children from having different communicable diseases that can lead to
malnutrition, pure water supply and toilet facility coverage needs to be improved.
 Concerned officials at all level should regularly monitor the availability of TSF and other
supplies to avoid any unexpected drugs and supplies stock-out. Whenever necessary
enough drugs and supplies should be requested and refilled in time( also buffer stock) .
 Blanket SFP for IDPs and also to those woredas with Proxy GAM above 20% should be
considered for blanket SFP.
 Provision of potable water supply to health facilities and OTP sites to properly treat
malnourished cases.

2. Education Assessment Findings

The poor performance of the 2017 Meher(Kiremt) rainfall coupled with the negative impact of
poor performance of recent Belg rains, seriously affected the livelihood of the people in various
pastoral, agro-pastoral and cropper areas of the region. There is already shortage of food and
water in many locations currently and the ongoing conflict is further exacerbated the situation.

The Meher rain fall particularly in Eastern and Pockets areas of Oromia negatively impacted
agricultural productivity and water availability. Many parts of the region have received much
less or no rainfall which resulted in very low amount of belg and Meher harvests that affected
livelihood of the community. It is obvious that this impact highly affected the teaching and
learning process in schools. Cognizant of this fact, meher season assessment was conducted in
the region starting from 19 November to 09 December 2017 to assess the impact of this
emergency situation on teaching –learning processes at schools and the school community in
general. The assessment covered 10 zones and selected priority hotspot woredas with the
following objectives:

27
  To identifying number of schools and students affected by emergency situations,
 To identify the type of emergency affecting students’ learning in the region,
 To know level of local capacity to respond and propose doable recommendations to
cope up the impact of the prevailing emergency situations on students’ learning capacity.

The finding of the assessment indicated that 1,421,866 school children are affected by conflict
and drought caused emergency situations like shortage of food, water and educational material.
In association with serious shortages of water and food, there is increasing number of late comers
and absentees, and inability of parents to cover school expenses was reported.

Besides, several schools in East Haraghe, West Hararghe, Bale, Borena and west Guji have been
closed due to food insecurity and conflicts. Lack of potable water supply for community and at
the schools seriously affected education program as students and teachers couldn’t cope up with
the current situations. If these emergency challenges were not timely responded, it will result in
closing of many schools and massive increase in dropout of children from schools. For obvious
reasons, children cannot access learning opportunities in time of crisis. So, urgent response
should be made to save the lives of children affected by the emergency through providing them
with basic educational materials, school feeding, clothing, basic services of WASH, Health and
psychosocial support so that they could continue their schooling. .

Table 4.Students’ enrolment in Visited Zones Non/Dec ‘17

No, Zone Total Schools Total number of students

Male Female total
1490 538,957 414,592 953,549
1 East Haraghe
West 965 394963 302042 697,005
2 Hararghe
763 161171 138910 300,081
3 North Shewa
0 0 0 0
4 West Arsi
633 142033 129678 271,711
5 East Shewa
0 48,740 45,285 94,025
6 Borena
0 254151 179730 433,881
7 Guji
622 182,680 126,050 308,730
8 West Guji

28
 1669 263698 202869 466,567
9 Bale
10 2474 461272 412385 873,657
Arsi
0 8616 2447665 1951541
Total

The total number of children enrolled to attend schools in the visited 9 zones in this academic
year is about 4,399,206 (boys, 2,447,665 and 1,951,541 girls) (table 6). According to the regional
education bureau, enrollment achievement is almost 95%. Generally, school enrolment was
stable across the region with regular attendance at the beginning of the year. However, notable
exceptions are reported from schools in lowland areas where attendance level of school children
reported to be low due to the drought and conflict. The schools, students and teachers details
current situation and last year school dropout is separately attached- Annex 2.

According to the zones and woreda report, all registered children are severely or moderately
drought affected which triggered the presence of food shortage problem at household levels.

Data regarding protection is nonexistent at all levels in visited zones, woredas and schools.
However, in East Hararge zone, the finding of the study regarding protection indicated that 368
female children married under the age 18 years old and remained out of school in 2010 E.C
academic year. Nearly 100 Physical and intellectual disabilities, hearing and visual impairments
are the identified disabilities of the children. The assessment team witnessed that children with
disabilities are not given special attention during emergency. Almost all school facilities are not
safe for the children with special needs in the zone. GBV is a critical problem in the zone in
which 510 female children were victims of it. There were 1265 orphan school children without
any support to make them stay in school.

The table indicates that in East Hararghe 5465 male and 4484 female as well as in West
Hararghe 9366 male and 7913 female children are engaged in income generating activities to
support themselves and their families.

Despite the fact that school children are facing critical problems (shortage of food and water
supply as well as stationary materials) in emergency situations, they are not benefitting from

29
Education in Emergency responses at present. In this academic year school feeding program is
not yet started even in drought and conflict severely affected areas.

2.1 Severely affected students Due to Emergency in 2010 academic year

The finding of the education assessment indicated that 518,345 school children in 1240 schools
of 18 woredas in East Harage Zone were affected by drought and conflict caused emergency
situations like shortage of food, water and educational materials. It is confirmed that 52 schools
were closed, as a result of the prevailing emergency situations. In West Hararghe the zonal
education office proposes school feeding to 500,743 students in 15 woredas. However, the
assessment team recommends considering school feeding for 200,065 (113171 male and 86894
female) pre-primary and primary school students in 7 low land and water scarce woredas
including Burka Dintu, Hawi Gudina, Gumbi Bordedie, Doba, Goba Koricha, Boke and
DaroLebu woredas.

In Bale zone also 84901(48854 male and 36047 female) students as well as 205 (161 male and
44 female) teachers are affected due to drought. The assessment team confirmed through
discussion in the visited woredas that many schools are at risk of closure. In Guji zone due to the
conflict 10 schools (out of 19) in Gorodola and 2 schools (out of 41) in Liben Woredas are
completely closed. As result a total of 614 (316 boy and 298 girl) students are currently out of
school and unable to attend their classes. The impact of inadequate resources and displacement
due to conflicts caused poorer households not to send their children to school so that school
feeding is so important in at least 17 schools in Gorodola woreda and 6 in Liben woredas.

In East Shewa, especially in Fentale, Bosat, Adama & Adami Tulu & Jida Kombolcha Woredas
a total of 12,239 students need school feeding and water rationing.

In Arsi zone the assessment team confirmed through discussion in the visited zones and woredas
that many schools are at risk of closure and hence a total of 182578 students (99088 boys and
83490 girls) should be provided with food, clean water and necessary educational materials very
soon. In this academic year, a total of 107,311 students (64,138 boys and 43,173 girls) need
school feeding program from the assessed woredas of Dugdadawa, Surobarguda, Abaya, Gelana,
and Melka Soda of West Guji zone,

30
 Similarly, in Borena zone, 41 elementary schools are currently closed as a result of conflict and
drought where more than 8000 students are affected. In addition to this, conflict caused 3,599
children (1,926 boys and 1,564 girls) to discontinue their education (almost drop out of school)
currently.

If these emergency challenges are not addressed timely, there will be closure of several schools,
massive increase in dropout of children, increase in child marriage, child labour, trafficking,
migration and increase in GBV and sexual exploitation of adolescent girls.

Table 5: EiE Proposed Response

Pre-primary and primary

students) Types EiE Types of need
Stationa
Total ry
Schoo material Uniform
No, Zone ls Male Female total food s /cloth
1 East Haraghe 773 289390 228955 518345 Drought 518345 518345 518345
2 West 784 281,42 219,31 500,743 Drought 500,74 500,743 500,743
Haraghe 4 9 3

3  North Shewa 1899 1637 3536 Drought 3536 3536 3536

4  West Arsi ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
5 East Shewa 61 ND ND 12,239 Drought 12,239 12,239 12,239
and flood

6 Borana ND ND ND 11599 Conflict 11599 11599 11599

and
drought
7 Guji ND 316 298 614 Conflict 614 614 614
8 West Guji ND 64,138 43,173 107,311 Conflict 107,31 107,311 107,311
1
9 Bale 238 48854 36047 84901 Conflict 84901 84901 84901
and
drought
10 Arsi 204 99088 83490 182578 Drought 182578 182578 182578

Total 78510 61291 142186 14218 142186 1,421,86

9 9 6 66 6 6

31
The table above (table 5) shows that the types of EiE are school feeding, learning supplies and
Uniform /cloth. A total of 1,421,866 (785,109 boys and 612,919 girls) school children are
targeted to be benefited from the school feeding program. The provision of school feeding
programme at the most drought affected schools has great potential to prevent school drop outs
in the zones. The school feeding program also helped to decreases school late coming and
absenteeism.

But, according to the assessment report of the Oromia Regional Education Bureau, 2,146,832
students (1205406 boys and 941426 girls) are targeted to be benefited from the school feeding
program in 2017 as part of EIE response.( ref table 6).

32
 Table 6 EiE Responses proposed by regional education bureau

Pre-primary Primary No of No of children Total

No of No of Femal ABE Femal
Zone Woreda school Male e Total Male Female Total centers Male e Total Male Female Total
1 Guji 5 216 1434 1217 2651 42887 30238 73125 35 2719 1926 4645 47040 33381 80421
West
2 Guji 4 64 3504 3272 6776 58057 37161 95218 149 2851 2740 5591 64412 43173 107585
West
Hararg
3 e 15 873 32293 27018 59311 334506 257682 592188 77 5870 4835 10705 372669 289535 662204
East
4 Harage 18 773 29776 24839 54615 259614 204116 463730 64 3729 2794 6523 293119 231749 524868
5 Borena 14 389 3077 2689 5766 48716 45507 94223 705 9722 6123 15845 61515 54319 115834
6 Bale 9 386 9198 6709 15907 96824 65095 161919 55 3177 1836 5013 109199 73640 182839
7 Arsi 6 239 7837 6677 14514 83057 69121 152178 15 599 482 1081 91493 76280 167773
West
8 Arsi 5 289 14689 11549 26238 99710 80834 180544 28 2390 2327 4717 116789 94710 211499
East
9 Shewa 3 187 5038 4548 9586 42742 38874 81616 57 1390 1217 2607 49170 44639 93809
 Total 79 3416 106846 88518 195364 1066113 828628 1894741 1185 32447 24280 56727 1205406 941426 2,146,832

33
2.2 IDP children
In East Hararghe Zone totally 30,004 (male 16,023 and female 13,981) Oromo students are
displaced from Ethio –Somali region and also need an immediate response. In West Hararghe
Zone 1324 (794 male and 530 female) students are also displaced due to this conflict. In Guji
zone, a total of 614 students (316 boys and 298 girls) are currently out of school and unable to
attend their classes due to conflict. In Bale zone 14 schools are closed and as a result 4505(2943
boy and 1562 girl) school children are displaced. In addition 174 students (118 boys and 58 girls)
were evicted from Ethio-somalia region.

In Borena zone as a result of conflict and drought; currently 41 elementary schools in zone are
closed and more than 8000 students are affected. In addition to this the conflict caused 3,599
children (1,926 boys and 1,564 girls) to drop out of school. In West Guji zone conflict between
Amaro of SNNPR and Burji Guji Oromos of Gelana and Surobarguda peoples are displaced
from their home. As result of such emergency 5,409 school children (3,375 boys and 2,034 girls)
displaced and are out of school.

In summary the students who were learning in these schools have stopped their education
completely due to lack of food, lack of close for day and night, lack of shelter, lack of WASH
related services, lack of protection and safety and also exposed to different diseases and
psychological. Teachers are also victims of this problem.

2.3 Conclusion:

 Currently many schools in emergency affected areas are at high risk of dropout due to
scarcity of basic educational materials, food, and health and WASH services.
 Many schools are closed due to the existing emergency situations of conflict and drought.
Conflict problem is critical and a real threat to a safe and effective learning environment
affecting both students and teachers.
 Teachers in some emergency affected schools have resigned their jobs due to mainly lack
of water supply and food in affected areas.

34
  Large number of students reported to have resigned schools following Belg and Meher
season failure to the extent families can’t affording to buy stationary materials and school
uniforms.
 There is an increasing trend of students’ absenteeism and late coming,

2.4 Recommendations
 Students at risk of drop out needs water supply, food aid, basic educational materials and
school uniforms to let them continue their education.
 Provide school feeding for children in areas with critical food shortage.
 Delayed delivery of school feeding food items is a challenge currently and MoE and other
relevant stake holders should work together to improve timeliness of food delivery,
 Schools with water supply problem through provision of water tankers and building rain
water harvesting schemes wherever appropriate.
 Effort should be made by all concerned at Region, Zone, Woreda and Kebele level to
avoid or minimize school absenteeism and drop out due to avoidable reasons through
education and social mobilization.

3. Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH)-----------Not complete

During the Meher 2017 assessment, attempt was made to evaluate the water, hygiene and
sanitation status of the communities, schools and health institutions in the drought and flood
prone, conflict affected areas of the region. Drought induced water scarcity was apparently
higher in drought prone areas in and thus there was water shortage in most pastoral and agro
pastoral areas of Oromia Region.

Non functionality of water supply schemes is still a challenge and hence people who were
serving from constructed schemes are serving unsafe water currently. Non functionality is
mainly attributed to pump and generator damage due to over crowd of human and livestock at
limited water supply systems, poor community management and absence of spare parts and
rehabilitation budget among others. The below table summarizes non functionality of schemes
and affected population compared to the constructed schemes in the assessed zones of Oromia
Region.

35
Table 10. summary of non -functionality of schemes and affected population

Zone Water Total Non % No- At Risk Affected

coverage scheme function functional population population
( %) schemes schemes
Arsi 60.1 % 2712 105 3.87 % 102517 227380
Bale 39 % 781 121 15.49 % 158674 268596
Borena 46.2 % 174 44 25.29 % 270695 357934
E/Hararghe 51.79 % 2479 279 11.25 % 171403 349802
E/Shoa NA NA NA NA 0 385277
W/Arsi NA NA NA NA 0 75479
W/Guji 46.15 % 131 30 22.90 % 183183 114702
W/Hararghe 51.9 % 856 216 25.23 % 0 335601
Guji 52 % 805 172 21.37 % 209327 165982

36
N/Shoa 69.57 % 4850 283 5.84 % Data not available
Total 41.7 % 12,788 1,250 9.77 % 2,280,753 1,095,799

Fig 9. Functional and Non-functional schemes

5000
4567
As 4500
4000
3500
3000
2607
2500 2200
2000
1500
1000 660 640 633
500 279 216 172 283
1 1 105 2 2 121 3 313044 4 4 5 510130 6 6 7 7 8 8
0
Arsi Bale Borena E/Hararghe W/Guji W/Hararghe Guji N/Shoa

# of Functional schemes # of Non function schemes

indicated at fig 9 above, about 9.77 % of schemes in the assessed areas are non-functional
currently. This implies that the need for rehabilitation budget and provision of adequate spare
parts.

In general, higher non functionality rate and the need for higher investment in areas with deep
well potential caused lower water supply coverage in drought prone Woreda’s. Highland parts of
the region have better water supply coverage compared to lowland and pastoral areas.

37
 Among the assessed zone the highest accesses coverage was reported to be 69.57% in North
Shewa zone and the lowest is 39% in Bale zone while in the case on non-functionality of
schemes highest in Borena and lowest in Arsi Zone. Due to non-functionality therefore people
either travel longer distance to neighbouring kebele’s or serve unsafe water from distant pond
and spring sources. According to respective Woreda water offices, People who are affected due
to schemes damage travels ranging from above 4-5 hours round trip in search of drinking water
from their dwellings.

3.1 Kebele’s currently facing/at risk of WASH related Emergencies

All the assessed zones reported WASH related emergencies. Accordingly risk of WASH related
emergencies were reported in 67 Kebeles of 8 woredas in Bale ,in 38 kebeles of 7 woredas in
Arsi , in 27 kebeles of three woredas in East Shoa, in 5 woredas of Borena Zone, 75 kebeles of
10 woredas in East Hararghe, in 5 woredas of Guji , in 26 kebels of three woreda in West Arsi,
76 kebeles of 6 woredas of West Guji and 5 woredas of West Hararghe has been facing WASH
related Emergency currently and will deteriorate further after few weeks and needs close
monitoring.

In areas where there is no water supply system or non-functional schemes, people have been
serving unprotected sources from the distant location. However, volume of unprotected sources
mainly rivers, ponds and unprotected springs are over used both IDP and host communities and
also declining in drought prone lowland Woreda’s. The below presented number of kebele’s
affected and will be at risk of WASH related emergency in the coming months.

Table 11: Number of kebeles at risk of WASH related Emergency with its estimated population

Zone Woreda # of affected or Affected At risk Type of Alternative water

Risk Kebeles Emergency supply sources
during emergency
East Shewa A/T/J/K 3 13502 0
Fantale 10 46578 0 drought Pond
Adama 8 22243 0
Boset 6 27735 0
Borena Moyale
Miyo
yabelo NA 357,934 570,965 Drought River and pond

38
 Arero
Dire
E/Hararghe Gubi
Mayu 349,802 0 drought Pond,river and
muluke sharing from distant
Golo oda 75
Gursum
Babile
Chinaksan
Deder
Kurfa Chele
Fedis
Midega
Guji Liben
Saba Boru
Goro Dola 165,982 209,327 drought River and pond/dam
Gumi Eldelo
Aga Wayu
Bale Sawena 13 20360 16938
Barbare 5 34651 19805
G/Dhamole 9 13,731 5,763 recurrent river and pond
D/Srarar 8 24020  0 drought
Rayitu 8 10386  0
D/Kacahan 8 15,297 27,152
L/Hidha 13 26534 43542
M/Walabu 3 26,830  0
W/Arsi Shalla 15 28,369  0
Siraro 8 23785  0 Drought pond and river
Shashaman 6 23,325  0
e
W/Guji Dugda Dawa 114702 183183
Melka Soda
Suro bargud 76 drought Pond and river
Bule Hora
Galana
Abaya
North Shoa NA NA NA NA
W/Hararghe Gumi
Bordode
Boke NA 831,323 335,601
Burkja Dintu
daro Lebu
Habro

39
Arsi Aseko 3 33,086  0
Dodota 3 6,036  0
Limmu 3 6,036  0 drought pond and river
bilbilo
Hitosa 5 14,062  0
Sh/Kolu 6 26,638 11,084
Gololcha 10 36,750  0
Sude 8 44,184  0
Total 2,343,881 1,423,360
Table 11 above indicates that a total of 2,343,881 population are affected and 1,423,360
population are at risk of WASH related emergency in the coming dry month in more than 312
kebeles of 53 Woredas of the region. The need for rehabilitating non-functional water supply
systems including provision of water tracking is critically needed in priority locations.

The following graph illustrates population at risk and also affected in relation to WASH
emergencies in the coming months in the visited zones.

40
 385277
400000
357934
349802
335601
350000

300000
268596 270695

250000 227380
209327

200000 183183
171403 165982
158674

150000
114702
102517
100000 75479

50000
11 22 33 44 550 660 77 880 99 1010 0 0
0
Arsi Bale Borena E/ E/Shoa W/Arsi W/Guji W/ Guji N/Shoa
Hararghe Hararghe

At Risk population Affected population

Fig 12. Population at risk and also affected due to WASH related emergency in the visited zones

3.2 Health Institutions at risk of WASH related emergency

3.3 Schools at risk of WASH related emergency
3.4 IDPs at risk of WASH related emergency
3.5 Immediate water tracking needs /plan
3.6 Summary of the total required budget for the WASH interventions

3.7 Challenges and gaps identified in relation to WASH

3.8 Conclusion and Recommendations

4. Shelter and Non-Food Item (NFI) Meher Assessment Findings

41
4.1 Executive summary
Meher 2017 assessment is conducted by multi-agency team in 10 zones of Oromia region. As
part of the assessment methodology the team visited 39 representative weredas from the 10
selected zones and collected data. The assessment teams were from government, non-
governmental organizations, and UN agencies. The “Meher” assessment is done in two parts,
food and non-food sectors. In the Non-Food sector health, nutrition, education, WASH,
protection and emergency shelter were assessed.

As per the result of this assessment, the major driving factors of the current emergency and for
the displacement of people (IDPs) are conflict, drought, and flooding and land slide. Due to these
problems there are about 111,944 HHs affected and are in need of emergency shelters and NFI
assistances. This immediate need is due to the reason that most of the IDPs are in hosing
community, others are in collective centers which is not suitable for living and has risk of
outbreaks. In addition other IDPs are found in TVET, meeting halls, schools. Beside this most of
the IDP students are not attending schools due to lack of necessary schooling materials.

Although some immediate emergency assistance such as emergency shelter and nonfood items
support was provided it is not in a full package and not in standard, fragmented and inadequate.
Generally the affected households (HHs) require permanent solution as they lost their properties
and livelihoods during the conflict time. Shelter is a critical determinant for survival in the initial
stages of a disaster. Beyond survival, shelter and household non-food items are necessary to
provide security and personal safety. It is important for human dignity and to sustain family and
community life as far as possible in difficult circumstances.

4.2 Limitations
 There were challenges in collecting data from sector offices at zone and woreda level.
Most of these issues are related with lack of real timely and credible data by sectors
as well as capacity limitation to archive data both in hard and soft copies. This
affects the analysis and triangulation to justify findings.
 Lack of any information/report concerning IDPs in some zones is challenge
 Lack of realistic, updated and consolidated data of IDPs in woredas and zones

42
  The checklists developed by each sector are very detailed and requires consolidated
data which is not the case at the ground level (woreda and zone level)
 The methodology used and woreda covered in the process of assessment are
purposive and subjected to selection biases

Total Number of Displaced Households in the 10 visited zones of the Region: 111944HHs

Total Number of Displaced Persons in the 10 visited zones of the Region: 629,336 pople

Table 12, displaced people by zone

S. No Zone
Total people Remarks
displaced Total IDP HHs

1 Arsi 5738 954 25 woredas

2 Bale 96,688 15353 9 woredas

3 East Hararghe 209634 45045 20 woredas

4 West 38,196 7170 11 woredas

Hararghe

5 East Shewa 97 40 No detail IDP report

6 Guji 43,499 6519 No detail IDP report

7 West Guji 18,501 2905 No detail IDP report

8 Borena 216,029 33563 No detail IDP report

9 West Arsi 783 304 No detail IDP report

10 North Shewa 171 91 No detail IDP report

Total 629336 111944

NB: There is no detail report of IDP, shelter and NFIs in East shewa, Guji, West Guji and
West Arsi zones
4.3 Affected and displaced population
The major disasters affecting the visited zones are drought, conflict, Flood and landslide in
some locations. The conflicts erupted between Ethio-Somali and Oromo community caused

43
mass displacement of people, loss of life, deterioration of livelihood, destruction of properties,
school and health facilities closure, etc. The conflict resulted displacement of about 111,944 HHs
(629,336-individuals) that are currently residing in the 10 different Zones of Oromia regional
state. The above IDP figure is only for the 10 visited zones. The number varies from zone to
zone and increasing from time to time. For instance, there were 15,352 HHs in Bale zone and
45,916 HHs in East Hararghe zone at the time of this assessment. Almost all woredas including
the town administrations hosted these IDPs. The influx of IDPs is still ongoing.

According to the FGD and KII, many HHs and families left helpless and needs urgent support
and assistance. Beside this, there are IDPs whom their family members are left behind during
displacement or flee from the victim and by this time nobody knows where these people are or
whether they are alive or not. Some are separated from their wife/husband and /or children. The
number of families separated/left behind is not clearly identified unless proper registration is
made by the responsible body.

The displaced people are living both in the community and in temporary collective centres
(shelters.) The shelters are communal/ collective as well as tents in few areas. For example one
group of the displaced people are found in the TVET centre in Hirna town and as a result TVET
students did not start learning up to now. The living condition of IDPs is in a crowded situation.
Lack of latrine is also one of their problems. From the visit in Daro Labu woreda of West
Hraaghe zone, it was observed that the IDPs are living in meeting hall of the Woreda that has no
partitions and gives no privacy for women, young ladies and the others. Even pregnant and
lactating mothers are living in the same situation and getting no special care/ support. Lack of
water was also found to be their main problem. They were sleeping on the floor and some were
using benches.

4.4 Shelter and non-food item (NFI) support

So far food and nonfood supports have been provided by government, NGOs and at large by the
hosting communities at various levels. The assistance was so help full in saving the life of people
and the IDP community members’ interviewed appreciated the support being given by the
government and humanitarian actors, civil servants and people–to-people support.

44
The Federal, Region, zone and the woredas are trying their best to coordinate and support the
displaced people at their respective locations. For instance, the NDRMC allocated 2-month
rations like wheat, rice and oil, ERCS provided some NFI like blankets and house hold utensils.
Additionally, woredas, Zonal and regional government distributed food and non-food items for
the people. Free Health service is being provided in some of the IDPs sites but not in all sites.
There is also community support in kind and cash. The Emergency shelter /Non -food items
supported to IDPs include; Shelter (plastic sheets, tents), Kitchen/Cooking Sets, Water containers
(buckets, jerry cans, etc.), Dignity Kits (sanitary napkin, etc.), Hygiene Kits (soap, towel), Tools
(Construction, Water containers (buckets, jerry cans, etc.), Beddings (blankets, mats, etc and
mosquito nets).

In Bale zone and in some of the other zones, there is appreciable humanitarian ES/NFI assistance
provided by DRM offices of zonal, woreda, regional and federal level, IOM, UN agencies,
ERCS and NGOs to save life and reduce vulnerability of affected/displaced people. However,
out of total 15,352 IDP HHs, only 5,806 HH received ES/NFI assistance i.e. only 40.9% of IDP
HHs were addressed through ES/NFI assistance and more than half, 59.1 %, are still in dare need
of ES/NFI. In terms of plastic shelter, a total of 7578 HHs received from Borena, Bale, East and
West Harrghe zones.

During visit to Deder woreda of East Hararghe zone, it was observed that most students were not
learning due to lack of learning materials, uniform as well as food. From 1450 students
registered only 680 are attending school. In addition IDPs in the rural sites are coming to the
Woreda town in search of shelter, clothing materials and food items.

In general, however, according to the woredas and zone level reports and teams physical
observations to some of the IDPs sites, the assistance was not adequate to address the various
community needs and not also proportional to the increasing number of IDPs looking for the
assistance in various locations. The supplies are inadequate, not timely and some necessary
items are totally absent/missing. There are no spices for cooking and lack of money for grinding
cereals is also a common problem. There are shortages of shelter, mattress, cloths, blankets, etc.
In addition, education materials for the school age children including uniforms and food are very
important.

45
4.5 Main safety concerns with IDP shelter
In the visited zones, the major safety concern with the shelter includes; exposed to cold weather,
lack of doors, lack of locks, and break in, sharing spaces, lack of light, lack of security and lack
of privacy are the main safety concerns of IDPs.

The IDPs are currently found in different areas/locations like;

 Government Buildings (TVET, FTCs, Youth centres and meeting halls)

 Spontaneous Settlements

 Host Families/communities

 Collective Centres

 Planned Site/Camp

 School Building

 Rental houses

 Out of home/Verandas

During the KII and FGD with the IDPs, the team noted that IDPs could not return to their own
areas where they were living previously due to the following main reasons:

 Lack of safety/security (the main problem)

 Lack of food

 House damaged/destroyed

 No livelihood or income source –as it is already destroyed or taken away during conflict

46
Table 16. Shelter and NFI requirements for the IDP per zone

Zone No. of HHs Shelter Other NFIs Remarks

HHs Requirement Given Gap Requirement Given Gap

Arsi 954
Bale 15352 720
W/Arsi
West Guji
Guji
E/Hararghe 45916 6547
W/Haraghe 7170 348
E/shewa
Borena 33563 277
N/Shewa
Total

4.6 Summary of Gaps identified

Even if different supports are made by the government, community and different organizations,
the IDPs have still gaps in basic necessities that need to be fulfilled in order to ensure their
security and safety and survivality.

 Inadequate/Lack of NFIs in most of the IDP sites. The distribution of non-food items that
are essential for daily utilization of IDPs are not in place and the IDPs explained these
shortages as serious issues
 Inadequate/Lack of plastic sheets for shelter
 Most IDP students are not attending schools as they have no schooling materials, uniform
and the others.
 No budget allocated for grinding of cereals and also for purchase of spices.
 Inadequacy of food items supplied/month.
 Most of the IDPs are found scattered in the community and rural bushes/forest as a result
could not be reached in getting support of health and nutrition services.
 Materials for protection of personal hygiene such as dignity kits are not given especially
for female IDPs in many locations.

47
  A problem of getting medical services or free treatment is still not available in some of
the IDP locations and woredas ( e.g Daro lebu,Delo Mena).
 No any type of sanitation facility and open defecation is highly practiced at all IDP sites
 No access to safe water supply, almost all IDP use unprotected source, ponds which is
over used both by host and IDP community and is drying.
 No water treatment chemicals for disinfection of water collected from unprotected
sources that forces the IDP to consume untreated water which has high risk of water
related disease outbreak including AWD
 No proper solid waste management and pile of waste observed at all visited IDP site
 IDPs have no access to proper health education and hygiene promotion that capacitate
them to prevent themselves form WASH related disease
 Lack of protection and safety and IDPs still feel insecure in some of the locations
 Lack of light in in many of the IDP camps and sites.
 Lack of day and night cloth
4.7 Recommendations
 Immediate provision of shelter/NFI for IDPs that did not yet receive
 Multi direction response based on the need and gaps identified by districts for sustainable
long term solution and re build IDPs
 Providing full items of NFI based on the standard
 Increasing access to proper health education and hygiene promotion including IEC/BCC
materials distribution to capacitate IDP to prevent themselves from WASH related
disease
 Construction of communal latrines / trench latrine urgently at all IDP sites and following
by provision of Communal WASH NFI like latrine digging materials for IDP HH with
proper hygiene promotion to dig their own
 Provision of water treatment chemicals for all IDPs to reduce vulnerability of WASH
related disease
 IDP students learning situation needs to be arranged and education materials to be
fulfilled immediately and all registered students can continue learning.
 The affected IDP mothers and children should get special care/support (food and non-
food)

48
  Adequate, timely and full package supply needs to be organized and distributed in order
to avoid the fragmented type of distribution and the IDPs can get better services.
 Support IDPs with some budget to buy some spices, sugar and the like.
 Provision of staple food items that can be used by IDPs.
 Tracing and restoring of lost families needed attention so that the separated families can
be reunited.
 Pocket money for the displaced is crucial for their non-food needs
 There are IDP sites that are hard to reach or isolated in some location and not getting
proper support. Arrange necessary logistics and operational budget to reach to such sites
and provide the services.
 To supply materials used for personal hygiene especially for ladies (Dignity kits, soaps
lotions, etc.)

Table 17. Materials/Items Required for IDPs

s/n Items s/n Items

1 Jeri cans 13 Sanitary pads
2 Bed sheets 14 Machete/knif

3 Mats 15 Hoe (digging)

4 Shade (Plastic sheets) 16 Rope
5 Different cloths & shoes 17 Nails
6 Soap 18 CGI Roofing
7 Cooking pots 19 Eucalyptus poles
8 Dishes/plate 20 Bamboo
9 Dipper 21 Brick
10 Cups 22 Grass (roof thatch)
11 Mattress
12 Blankets

49
 5. Protection Cluster Assessment Findings
5.1 Executive summary

The assessment finding shows that drought and conflict has affected many parts of the visited
woredas. Flood hazard were reported in East shewa and Arsi zones and significant number of
IDPs were presented in Arsi, Bale, Guji, West Guji and Borena, East and West Hararge zones.

According to the briefing and discussion made both at woredas and zonal level, the team noted
that protection issue has got attention and the agenda is being mainstreamed in the respective
sector offices at all levels in the region.

The team collected protection data through FDG and KII from all the visited woredas and from
the zones. According to the FGD and KII response, GBV, crime, child labour abuse, rape, and
early marriage practices have been showing a decreasing trend compared to past years until
recently.

However, because of the ongoing conflict, people who have been migrated to the visited woredas
for safety and security reasons have shown an increasing trend in the woredas unusually. In this
regard, migration in the pastoral woredas has potential risks to children and women, with
unaccompanied children particularly vulnerable to abuse and other risks. Separation of children,
child labor and exploitation, physical and sexual violence, unsafe migration and early marriage,
GBV, psychosocial distress and school dropout is increasing in most of the visited conflict
affected woredas. Children and women were affected differently by the current emergency
situation requiring special attention and protection. In one way or another, there are protection
concerns in the IDP sites but at various degrees. In relation to the protection concerns, about
629,336 people (IDPs) are at risk in the visited zones.

Table 18. Number of people expected to be in need of protection intervention or at risk in 2018, in the 10 visited
zones

Zone Population at risk Remarks

Borana 216,029
Guji 43499

50
 West Guji 18501
Bale 96,688
Arsi 5738
W/ Arsi 783
E/ Shewa 97
N/Shewa 171
E/Hararge 209634
W/ 38,196
Hararge
Total 247830

5.2 Methodology

The Government led multi-agency Meher seasonal assessment was conducted in 10 zones of
Oromia region from November 19 to 9 December 2017. Four teams were deployed for this
assessment and it’s for the second time that protection cluster issues were included as
independent component. The selected zones for assessment includes; East Hararge, West
Hararge, Arsi, Bale, North Shewa, West Arsi, East Shewa, Borena, Guji and West Guji.

Technical experts from different governmental, non-governmental organizations and UN

agencies participated in conducting the assessment. In conducting the assessment, the global
protection cluster’s concept/definition of protection as the prevention and response to abuse,
neglect, exploitation and violence against children and women was used. The assessment
procedure followed the NDRMC assessment ToR and included office level briefing from zonal
and woreda offices followed by woreda and kebele visits. Data for protection, primarily of
children and women, was collected from the zonal and woreda women and children affairs office
(OWCA), community representatives and other sectors. In some of the zones respective police
department child and women protection units were also interviewed and provided input.

5.3 Limitations
 Lack of reliable and organized data on protection concerns in the all assessed woredas and
zones.
 The checklist has no table in which protection issues/data to be filled in
 Even the collected data cannot help to show the trends or comparison of protection issues
with specific period and areas.

51
  Using only qualitative questionnaires’ that asks trends of Gender based Violence and
harmful traditional practice which is difficult to determine.
 Most of the team did not collect protection data as per the checklist given
5.4 Protection issues and analysis

In many visited zones and woredas of East and West Hararge, Borena, Guji, West Guji and Bale,
CP/GBV protection situation is deteriorating as a result of the drought and conflict induced
internal displacement. While East and North Shewa, Arsi and West Arsi were mostly affected by
drought and flood. Discussion was held with drought affected and conflict induced displaced
women, children and families and community in affected woredas and zones revealed that the
conflict caused separation of children from their primary care givers, wife from husband and as a
result family separation is increasing among those woredas.

The conflict also caused deaths of people leaving children orphaned; women without husband
and as there are a lot women headed household with psychosocial distress including bad injuries
and disabilities of women. While community elders are found to be taking care of orphaned
children and women in the visited IDP sites, their capacity is very limited. In addition to the
frequent drought, the ongoing conflict is also becoming women and children and their families’
protection risks and they exist under highly insecure conditions.

According to the data obtained from East and West Hararge, Borena, Guji, West Guji and Bale,
Arsi and visited Woreda OWCA offices, numbers of people migrated from rural to woreda and
from woreda to urban settings were increasing in all visited Woredas which is 100% among
assessed Woredas.

Similarly psychosocial distress is also increasing in all visited woredas in that women and
children are suffering due to family separation and loss of their livelihoods. Moreover, children
are also increasingly migrating without parents and caregivers due to drought and conflict
induced pressure in their livelihood and looking for better life in the urban settings in visited
woredas of the zones.

For instance, according to the data obtained from East and West Hararge; physical violence 186
including, beating, bad injuries, 10 rape cases, 32 sexual harassment, 90 cases of early marriage
and 3 deaths were recorded from the two zones which is reported to be in an increasing trend.

52
The major cause of early marriage is partly the result of increased asset depletion and
household’s income due to conflict and prolonged drought that forced parents to look at
alternative coping mechanism such as arranging early marriage to get some support.

Physical violence especially on women and children is also become increasing protection
concerns in some of the conflict affected border woredas (with neighboring Ethio-Somali)which
resulted in cutting women’s breast, legs, burning their reproductive organ, and beatings are the
most among women and children are facing around the border woredas reportedly.

Interviewed IDP parents in Mi’esso, Dadar, Guradamole woreds mentioned that women and
children travel to different areas for search of job that result in expose of women and children to
child labour, sexual violence and child migration

While the above mentioned protection concerns appear on the ground, the data on women and
child protection is either unavailable or incomplete. The team also identified capacity gaps in
terms of tracking child protection data by respective government offices, particularly Women
and Children Affairs office. Significant number of children experienced psychological distress;
trauma led them to serious mental disorders. In addition there is high sense of insecurity among
the displaced persons in general and women and children in particular. In Bale zone visited
woredas (.eg Guradamole), IDPs reported that they are still feel fear and worried that they can be
re-attacked and re-displaced from their current location.

Husband beating his wife reported in some of the assessed woredas but women do not report this
problem to concerned body since it is also considered as norm in the community.

Poly gamy still in practice in assessed weredas of some of the zones, especially in East and West
Hararge, Borena, Guji, Bale and Arsi that each man can marry up to 5 women’s but since this
kinds of practice is acceptable and tolerable in local community around these areas, women’s do
not report this kinds of case to the existing structure. Communities are accessing structures such
as police, WCA, NGOs and Religious leader for the purpose of protection and legal support.

Abduction also exist in assessed weredas, but when this case happen instead of reporting to
police or to other concerned bodies, the victim’s family negotiate with the abductor family in
traditional way.

53
Moving or taking children to another location like Moyale city without their consent and false
promise reported. Child trafficking is reported from East shewa, Adami tulu woreda in which 8
children from SNNPR were reported and returned back to their family, there GBV on children
living away from parents and living with relatives( to be checked again).

5.5 Protection Responses provided

Regarding response, different stakeholder who has been responding to protection concerns was
identified in the process of data collection. Accordingly, police, BOWCA, different NGOs
working in the zone and traditional/ communal systems are responding to protection concerns
and cases are identified and somewhat solved accordingly.

In normal circumstances, the response package includes legal, health care, informal psycho-
social support and alternative care arrangements basing the principle of best interest of the child
and holistic approach to service delivery. However, there is functional limitation of capacity in
coordinating case management services and other services needed by children and women at risk
and survivors. There is limitation in identifying, referring and following up service provision as
there is no operational protocol and system in the community that separately deals children and
women issues. The major focus of emergency response in the each zones are focusing on food
items and other services including water and sanitation. Very weak coordination mechanisms in
coupled with limitation in coordinating holistic and coordinated service hinders the visibility of
protection services in the current emergency response in the visited woredas.

5.6 Gaps identified

 Safety and protection is still a big concerns for all the IDPs

 Children and women are easily vulnerable and expose for various forms of violence
particularly more common during emergencies/ in displacement setting. In the current
IDP setting, they are not getting priority and they are suffering a lot and exacerbate the
problem on women and children. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, children as well as
people with disability need to get priority and special attention in the current IDP setting.

 Poor documentation and lack of reliable data on protection concerns at both zone and
Woreda level.

54
  Women and children migration increased, that result in increased number of
unaccompanied and separated children from the conflict affected woredas.

 Women and children’s in IDPs are not provided with psycho-social support services,
which will result in high trauma and no women and children friendly spaces were
provided for IDPs in the current setting.

 There is an increased number of women and children lacks of access to basic social
services including safety and security.

 Children separated from their families/home village are highly exposed to different forms
of right violations and exploitations (sexual, emotional and physical abuse) due to lack of
protective environment and measures while living alone or in the IDP sites.

 No light in both formal IDP camps and temporary shelter

 Students are not learning due to lack of schooling materials and no personal hygiene
materials given for the female IDPs

5.7 Conclusion

In general, conflict and drought which played a pivotal role in loss of livelihoods and social
structures increases the protection concerns of women and children in most parts of the visited
woredas of East and West Hararghe, Bale, Borena, West Guji and Guji zones.

As functional social structures demolished and weakened by conflict and drought respectively,
women and children will be increasing exposed to family separation, psycho social stress and
trauma, exploitation, abuse, neglect as sexual and physical violence’s. The team learned that,
those women and children are in need of immediate psycho social response in order for the well-
being of women and children. IDP women and children are not in safe, due to the fact that they
did not even provided with temporary shelter in some locations , which may increase their
vulnerability for further harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

In general, women and children friendly spaces, psycho social support, strong case management
and referral pathways should be there as soon as possible.

55
In order to responds to those issues, BoWCA structures engagement in the process of
coordinating partners and community for the emergency response should be supported and
capacitated. This would be achieved by actively participating and further strengthening the zonal
and woredas emergency task force, taking part in assessments, compiling reliable data’s and
producing potential reports and this should strengthened up to community. The exiting social and
government structures and the efforts being made to support orphans and disabled community
members in some woredas and zones are good practices and platforms to mainstreaming
protection issues and to be further strengthened at all levels.

5.8 Recommendation as per KIs’ comments:

 Safety and protection is a priority intervention to be undertaken at IDP sites and strong
measures to be put in place to resolve conflicts at various locations of the visited woredas
 Strengthen and support Zonal and Woreda BoWCA to actively participate and customize,
planning, conducting protection issues during assessments, documenting reliable data to
protect and respond to growing protection needs of children and women in the zone
 Strengthen community based structures to identify, coordinate care and support and
facilitate referral services to children and women at risk and survivors of different
protection issues.
 Support BOWCA to mobilize the community and ensure community based responses
establish and strengthen, case management system structure to respond to abuse, neglect,
exploitation and violence against women and children
 Strengthen and establish CP/ GBV taskforce at zone, woreda and kebele level to provide
minimum services (prevent, monitor and address CP issues)
 Support BOWCA (Zonal and Woreda) to actively engage in preparedness and emergency
response and better protect children and women as mandated.
 Strengthen BOWCA (Zonal and Woreda) in data management, documentation and
evidence based intervention.
 Comprise CP/GBV issues in broader emergency preparedness and response interventions
and ensure children and women participation. Mainstream CP GBV lenses in program
assessment, designing, implementation and monitoring.

56
  Integrate and sustain the inclusion of CP GBV and protection issues in the development
of both national and regional response packages.
 Provision of psychosocial support in IDP sites
 Arrange schooling and the necessary teaching materials in the IDP sites accordingly
 provision of dignity kits to girls and other basic services as priority

6.1 Annexes
Annex 1. Current stock of Emergency drugs and Supplies and estimated amount for coming
three months

Annex 2. The schools, students and teachers details current situation and last year school
dropout .

57