Food security still critical in the south

The food-security situation in the drought-hit Somali and Oromiya regions of southern Ethiopia remains critical in several zones and below normal in others, with livestock dying due to lack of pasture and water and disease, the United Nations has said. In the Somali Region, the situation was critical in Liben, Afder, Gode and parts of Fik zones, and below normal in the rest of the region, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its latest update on the effects of the drought on 20 March. The crisis in Liben is approaching a full-scale emergency, especially in Dolo Odo, Hudet and Moyale districts where it has been exacerbated by lack of livestock markets and critical water and pasture scarcity. Although there has been considerable improvement in food deliveries over the past month, delays due to logistical problems remain a concern. An outbreak of measles in Bare district and livestock diseases in Dolobay and Erer districts are major health concerns. Good rains have been received in Jijiga district since last week, and there have been unconfirmed reports of rainfall in northern Degehabur. Although conflict has subsided, clan tensions in Geladi district in Warder zone still limit pastoral mobility, and there is concern that similar resource-based clan conflicts could emerge if the situation does not improve. The humanitarian situation in Borena zone of Oromiya Region remains critical, with increasing livestock deaths and critical water shortage. In parts of Dire, Moyale and Teltele districts, pastoralists have begun feeding their animals the thatch roofs of their huts, according to the OCHA report. The overall humanitarian situation in the affected lowlands of Borena zone is rapidly deteriorating despite rains in the first week of March, according to OCHA. The ongoing water distribution is far below the needs of the population, mainly due to the lack of water tankers, containers and poor performance of the trucks due to maintenance and operation costs, the agency added. Drought-affected Kenyan pastoralists from across the border have continued to arrive in search of better pasture around Yabello, raising fears of conflict between Kenyan and Ethiopian communities. Emergency needs have been identified as water, animal feed and veterinary drugs. Food from Ethiopia's Productive Safety Nets Programme has been sent to the zone and is awaiting distribution. More than 1.5 million children across Somali Region and Oromiya's Borena, Guji and Bale zones will receive measles vaccinations in a campaign to be launched by the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, and regional health authorities from 24 March.