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Scope of the present drought
- Areas Affected: Sustained drought conditions are impacting life
in large parts of southern, southeastern, eastern and northern Ethiopia.
Populations near Gode, Denan, Imi and south of Jijiga (all in southeastern
Ethiopia's Somali Region) are presently experiencing the most severe conditions.
Other affected areas include Oromiya, Dire/Yabello, South Omo and Konso
(in the south and southwest of the country) and North and South Wollo (in
the northern Amhara Region).
Somali region is one of the country's least-developed regions, plagued
by insecurity and absence of infrastructure and a vast, open border with
neighboring Somalia. Population migrations in search of food, potable water
and basic health care continue - over 10,000 people have reportedly moved
into Gode town from outlying Denan and Fik areas.
- Number Affected: An estimated 8 million of Ethiopia's 60 million
people are at immediate risk due to drought. UNICEF estimates that 1.4 million
of those at risk are children under five.
- Health Risks: Migration in search of relief and a lack of adequate
shelter is increasing children's exposure to dust, sun and wind. Lack of
food and water is weakening their immune systems. Under these conditions
children are more vulnerable to disease. The top seven causes of illness
in drought-prone areas are malaria, diarrhea, intestinal parasites, upper
respiratory infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and skin disease. It is
estimated that 60 to 80 per cent of health problems in the country are due
to malnutrition and preventable diseases.
- Lost Livelihoods: UNICEF is focusing its efforts on immediate life-saving
interventions in the provision of safe water and the prevention of disease.
Unfortunately, the crisis is likely to be protracted in that most families
have lost their cattle - the primary form of subsistence in the heavily
affected southeast and south of the country (Somali Region). In the Borena
zone in the south, up to 70 per cent of cattle have been lost. Thus, immediate
emergency assistance is needed to keep people alive, but long-term development
assistance will be needed to restore the shattered economic base of pastoral
and agricultural areas.
- Disrupted Education: In addition to threatening the health and
welfare of children in the affected regions, the drought is effectively
suspending their education. Primary schools are closing down as children
leave to help support individual family incomes. In the vicinity of Gode,
one-third of primary schools have closed. In Somali Region as a whole, 76
schools have shut down. Schooling is not only vital to a child's development,
it helps provide a sense of security and continuity during times of disaster
and stress. Approximately 500,000 children had been enrolled in grade school
in drought-affected areas.
Return to 'Ethiopia: The hardest hit'
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