Responding to food insecurity in Ethiopia - April 2018

A total of 271,852 people in Ethiopia were reached through World Vision's response to people in need in April 2018. 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:

• 159,995 children reached through various response activities
• 158,317 people received food assistance 
• 95,962 people were able to access health and nutrition services
• 11,500 people were reached with clean water and sanitation 
• 5,233 people were provided assistance to earn an income or expand their agricultural production

Still, there is more work to do. 

KEY CONCERNS: 

Conflict is leading to large scale displacement: Conflict between ethnic Oromos from West Gujji and Gedeos from SNNP region has resulted in large scale displacement from both sides, leaving people in dire need of food and non-food assistance. Currently, the government and partners are assessing the needs and will continue to provide coordinated support. Meanwhile, the regional governments of Oromia and SNNP are working jointly to return displaced people to their place of origin and restore peace and security in the area.

Flash floods: More than 165,000 people are in urgent need of assistance in Somali region. While shortages of rain has been the driver for drought, flash floods following heavy rains, mostly from the highland areas, continue to affect numerous people. Reported flash flood incidences since the second week of April have left hundreds of thousands of people in need of immediate humanitarian support in Afar (Awsi), Oromia (Arsi, East Shewa, East and West Hararge zones) and Somali (7 zones) regions.

Outbreaks of Acute Watery Diarrhea and measles: The outbreak of AWD is still an unresolved public health problem but it shows a downward trend in all nine regions. In 2018 only, a total of 157 cases have been reported from three regions, Somali, Dire Dawa and Tigray regions with no deaths reported. A measles outbreak is still prevalent in the country and cases continue to be reported.

Large-scale,long-term lifesaving assistance is needed to ensure people in need are assisted. World Vision is appealing for an additional $12 million to expand its humanitarian response and reach more people in Ethiopia

For more information about World Vision's response achievements, locations and other details, please download (pdf) our April 2018 Situation Report.