Flood: Ethiopia Crisis Appeal 30 August 2006

Overview
As a result of the extended and widespread heavy rainfall since the beginning of the rainy season, many areas in Ethiopia have already experienced devastating damage. Available information indicates that, altogether, some 635 people have died and left thousands of women and children homeless and vulnerable to deadly water-borne diseases. Many more are now facing a battle for survival as the floods destroy houses, livelihoods and food stores across the country.

To date, the floods have affected 200,000 people, including large numbers of people who have had to move away from areas at risk of flooding. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) already living in poor conditions with limited access to services and economic opportunities are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the floods. Many of these people are children and women, the men very often stay in the areas of origin with the livestock. As the river levels rise due to the continuing rain, families are facing multiple displacements, moving to an area, but then having to move again because these areas also become at risk.

As a result of prolonged and intensive rainfall, the soil in most areas, particularly in the western, central highlands and north-western parts of Ethiopia became saturated causing an overflow of rivers and flash floods in many areas including Dire Dawa, SNNPR, Amhara, Oromia, Gambella, Tigray, Somali and Afar Regions. The flood situation resulted in considerable human death, displacement and suffering as well as loss of property and crop damage. The current problem is the worst that has been observed in recent years. The most affected areas are Dire Dawa, South Omo Zone of SNNPR, and parts of Amhara, Oromia, Gambella, Somali and Tigray regions.

Dire Dawa: The heavy rains in the highlands of East Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region caused flash floods from the overflow of Dechatu stream that hit Dire Dawa town in the middle of the night on the sixth of August, while residents were asleep. According to the Dire Dawa Administration, the flood affected over 9,000 people and killed 256 others. The death toll was largely due to the fact that the flooding took place at a time when people were asleep. Currently, over 6,000 people have been temporarily sheltered in six sites, including schools and other compounds. It has also washed away houses and properties of many people living along the riverbank. Roads, bridges and other public properties were damaged and washed away. The estimate of overall loss or damage of properties of individuals and infrastructure has recently been disclosed by the Administration to be Birr 27 million.

SNNPR: The extraordinary overflow of Omo River in August severely affected about 8,000 people in Dasenech and Gnangatom woredas of South Omo Zone. It has also killed 364 people and swept away some 3,200 cattle and destroyed other properties, including 760 traditional grain stores. This area is one of the worst affected as compared to others in the country. Efforts have been underway to rescue and save the lives of those stranded and also find the bodies of those drowned by the flood. Furthermore, a flash flood from Bilate River was reported to have affected 5,370 households in Humbo Woreda of Wolayita Zone out of which 2,515 households were severely affected and require immediate emergency assistance. Moreover, landslides due to heavy rainfall were reported from Guraghe and Kefa zones although their impact was not as serious as that of the floods.

Amhara Region: Overflow of Rib and Gomara rivers and Lake Tana in Libo Kemekem and Fogera woredas of South Gonder, Bahirdar Zuria and Bahidar town of West Gojjam and flash floods in Dewchefa and Ansokiya woredas of Oromia and North Shewa zones, respectively, displaced people from their residential places and forced them to stay in temporary shelters. Currently, there are a total of 13,362 people reported to be in temporary shelters in the region.

West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region: Flooding of the upper basin of Awash River affected 14 peasant associations (PAs) in Illu, Sebeta Awaso and Ejere woredas of West Shewa Zone. The flood was reported to have affected a total of 14,790 people out of which 2,052 people were displaced and forced to live in temporary shelters. Heavy rainfall in the central highlands in the coming weeks is considered as a major threat around the major dams in the region (Koka, Gilgel Gibe and Melka Wakena). The dams are already full and contain excessive water. Some of them have already started to overflow.

Gambella Region: Reports of overflow of Baro River have been received from the Region. Areas affected by the flood are Gambella Zuria, Jikawo, Itang and Gillo woredas. The impact of the flood on human beings is not yet serious. However, it has affected a large area of crop fields. Flooding in Gambella is normal but its occurrence at this time of the year is somewhat early. All rivers in the Region are full. High rainfall in the coming weeks in the western highlands could cause severe flooding. Generally, the situation in the Region is worrisome calling for close monitoring and follow-up.

Somali Region: According to recent information from the Region which remains to be verified, as a result of overflow of Wabishebelle River, 3,000 and 4,500 households have been affected from Mustahil and Kelafo woredas, respectively, and a total of 650 hectares of farmland has been damaged,

Tigray Region: Overflow of Tekeze River in Kafta Humera woreda of Western Tigray Zone has displaced 450 households, destroyed houses and damaged crops fields.

The meteorological forecast for the coming weeks is daunting. Western Tigray, much of Amhara, Benshangul-Gumuz, western and central Oromia, including Addis Ababa and its surroundings, will continue getting normal to above normal rainfall. Given that nearly all the major rivers have significantly swollen, the volume of water in the five dams across the country are nearing their maximum capacity and still rising, the soil in much of the central highlands is saturated and weather forecasts are indicating more heavy rains in the days ahead, the risk of additional flooding with heavy consequences appears high. Consequently, a total of some 524,400 remain vulnerable to flood disaster through the country. Out of this population, 199,900 people are actually affected by flood disaster in various areas.

UNICEF field officers on the ground reported that although the exact number of children and lactating mothers is not known yet, families have been separated. This has both actual and potential negative impacts on children and young people. There is also a massive need for shelter materials in the displaced people camps, especially plastic sheeting, mattresses and blankets and cooking utensils. Assessment missions conducted over the last week have found that there are insufficient non food items in the camps.