Rains fall in Somali region as shortages persist

Rains have fallen in Ethiopia's drought-hit Somali region but many areas still face shortages, the regional government's emergency arm and Save the Children (SCF-UK) warned. "The general food security situation in the Somali region is below normal to poor," they said in a report. "Across the region, livestock prices are generally lower than normal due to poor body condition, but prices are picking up in some markets as animal body condition improves." The report, issued on 9 November by SCF-UK and the Somali Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau added: "Local cereal prices are higher than normal in most markets, and this is negatively affecting access to food by the poor groups. Malnutrition is still a major concern in most parts of the region." It noted that mortality rates in two districts were between 2.9 per 10,000 per day for pastoral children and 2.0 per 10,000 per day for agro-pastoral children. The Sphere Project - an internationally agreed humanitarian charter for disaster response - notes that mortality rates above 2.3 per 10,000 per day in sub-Saharan Africa should be seen as an emergency. Somali region, an area the size of Britain, is one of the driest areas in Ethiopia. Average rainfall in many parts is as low as 250 mm a year. Temperatures hover around 30 degrees (Celsius) every day. Four million people live in the region. Many eke out an existence as pastoralists - nomads who herd livestock and sell animals at markets. The region is dependent on two rains - known as the Gu and the Deyr. The Gu rains provide 60 percent of the water needs for the region, while the Deyr, 30 percent. However, the Gu rains failed in May 2004 and the Deyr rains were late. "Given that the Deyr rains are performing well in some zones, but not in others, the food security prospects in the coming months are mixed - with the situation in some zones likely to deteriorate while in other zones it is expected to improve," the report added.