From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Fri Jul 17 2009 - 11:00:25 EDT
ETHIOPIA: Malnutrition critical in Somali region
ADDIS ABABA, 16 July 2009 (IRIN) - Malnutrition rates in the Somali
region of Ethiopia have reached critical levels, according to a recent
assessment by the regional health bureau.
Conducted in seven woredas (districts) between April and May, the
assessment found global acute malnutrition rates of 14.5 to 21.9
percent. A rate exceeding 15 percent reflects an emergency situation, it
noted.
The highest rate of 21.9 percent was recorded in Degehabour woreda of
Degehabour zone. Five other woredas in the zone also exceeded the
emergency threshold.
The assessment noted that acute water shortages, poor access to safe
water, low immunisation coverage, high childhood morbidity and
dependence on relief food had aggravated the situation. Household coping
mechanisms had also weakened after years of drought.
The findings indicated that under-five mortality rates are high in
Degehabur and Bokh woredas.
"The situation is critical in Bokh and Degehabur woredas and serious in
Kelafo, Hamero, Bare and Ayisha woredas, while Filtu was deemed 'poor',
on the borderline of 'serious'," the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs said in its weekly humanitarian bulletin.
The health bureau forecast that the poor performance of the Gu rains in
2009 would lead to a further deterioration in food security as well as
nutritional and health conditions in the region. The Gu rains fall in
the long wet season that normally extends from March to May.
"In pastoral areas, the bad performance of the Gu season means that the
July-September dry season is likely to be exceptionally harsh," the
Famine Early Warning System Network said on 24 June.
The bureau recommended the immediate resumption of full relief food
rations for targeted populations in the region. It also proposed
strengthening supplementary feeding programmes.
Theme(s): (IRIN) Health & Nutrition
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=85304
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