The drought of 2015-16, combined with extensive subsequent flooding and disease outbreaks, continues to have a negative impact on the lives and livelihoods of 9.7 million Ethiopians and the disruption of basic public services. Overall food security and agricultural production remain severely affected, with cascading effects on livelihoods, nutrition, health, water, sanitation, education and other sectors.

Field notes by the Agriculture Knowledge, Learning, Documentation and Policy (AKLDP), indicates that the impact of the 2015 El Nino episode will remain for rural farming communities in southern and eastern Tigray. Harvest and livestock losses increased substantially and debt values increased by 60 percent in Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) households and 57 per cent in non-PSNP households, taking the total outstanding debts to US$271 in southern and US$ 310 eastern Tigray. According to the study, households are likely to continue to incur additional borrowing from different sources to meet their basic food needs. Indebtedness is a major concern for most households and many see the effects of the 2015 El Niño drought continuing throughout 2016, and potentially into 2017 and beyond. Moreover, average food prices for staples are 30% higher than September 2015, contributing to high GAM rates in the affected parts of the country.

As to the funding for the response, there is still $582 USD gap from the total $1.62 Billion required. Out of the total $ 1 Billion is allocated to sectors and $26 Million for multi-sectoral response. Out of the required, $10.8 Million is pledged, according to UNOCHA’s update.

GENERAL CONTEXT

SITUATION REPORT October 15, 2016

Ethiopia Drought Response

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OVERVIEW OF THE RESPONSE BY SECTOR

In support of the overall response coordinated by the Government of Ethiopia, Save the Children is implementing a multi-sectoral drought emergency response programme in over 60 woredas in Somali, Afar, Amhara, SNNP, Oromia and Tigray Regions.

Nutrition and HealthDuring the reporting month of September; 143,250 of Children less than five month and 29,466 PLWs were screened for their nutritional status in our operational woredas. 1,047 children have been admitted and treated for severe acute malnutrition in the respective nearby nutritional rehabilitation centers. A total of 8,784 under five children and 8,389 PLWs with moderately malnourished cases were linked to the existing WFP supported TSF program. Apart from SAM and MAM case identification and treatment a total of 3,218 PLWs and caretakers of children under two years old were supported under IYCF-E component of nutrition responses. Comparing the previous month overall SAM cases admission slightly decreasing but also the screening cover lower than the previous month. However moderately malnourished U5 and PLW targeted in supplementary feeding program significantly increased comparing with last month. High GAM rates of over 30% are reported from some of the worst affected areas.

As usual while has been delivering the above mentioned services we have also strengthened 194 and 26 OTP and SC sites respectively across the operational areas mainly in Bale zone of region and North Wollo & Waghimra zones of Oromia and Amhara regions respectively. The key components provided are: enhancing the capacity of GoV health workers as well as handed out essential drugs and equipment.

Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL) The past month has seen a number of evolving humanitarian situations in our intervention areas and our teams have been busy responding. Save the Children has been implementing different emergency projects to respond for a range of drought induced disasters. We have supported 121,948 beneficiaries in agricultural interventions in response to drought. In the current month, 131,122 people were reached and 315 personnel were trained on improved agronomic practices. In addition, 31,840 households were reached by emergency seed distribution and 52,174 households were reached by cash transfer and 23,318 more households benefited from livestock feed and animal services

The overall rainfall performance in most Belg and Kiremt benefiting areas of Ethiopia was normal and above normal, except in Waghimra which was a bit below normal. As a result, the food security situation is expected to be improved even though there is a gap in nonfood requirements. However, seasonal forecasts and a high likelihood of a La Niña occurring during the 2016 Deyr season suggest rainfall will likely be below average in southern and southeastern pastoral areas. Deyer/Hageya rain which is supposed to start mid-October has been delayed in most of the areas and this in turn is expected to put pressures on water and pasture, deterioration of livestock body conditions, reduced livestock productivity, and below-average livestock prices. In these areas, food security may deteriorate beyond the outlook period, particularly if the 2017 Gu (March to May) rains are also limited by La Niña. Accordingly, Save the Children will continue to closely monitor overall food security situation and provide agricultural technical assistance, supplementary animal health programs, relief food aid and cash transfer in Waghimra, Afar and Somali regional state. Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) As there is an improvement in availability of both surface and ground water in most areas of the country, the need for water trucking has been reduced and the program focus on provision of permanent water scheme construction, rehabilitation of existing water schemes affected by the flood, hygiene promotion and capacity building activities, as well as the response to AWD which is reported separately. More specifically, the rehabilitation of 16 water schemes and 28 new water schemes constructions were completed, 11 Sample water points checked for water quality / bacteriology, 109 Wash committee members trained in water scheme management and maintenance. The intervention is being complemented by providing on jobs training on the distribution of household water storage supplies to ensure safe water storage and management at household level and hygiene promotion activities.

According to the Education Cluster, 1.3 million children were unable to access learning opportunities as a result of drought and flooding and this number increased to four million in June 2016. About 4,650 schools have no access to drinking water and 2,150 schools have no latrines in emergency affected areas. Government and other partners provided some 3.1 million school children with school feeding until June. School feeding and provision of learning supplies and close monitoring have positive impact in reducing school dropouts.

Education in Emergencies (EiE)The new academic year will officially commence in beginning of October 2016. The last belg assessment has identified that the number of children across drought affected areas are 4 million. Out of these the government is going to provide school feeding for 2.9 million children during the academic year. There is assumption that school feeding for 1.1 million children will be supported by humanitarian community. One of the early warning issues is that the current protest in some regions may disturb the teaching –learning process. As a potential conflict mitigation measure, the government provided training to teachers and head teachers on positive development in Ethiopia, and the importance of peace and security in education. The government has also declared state of emergency.In order to make Save the Children’s response need-based and address the need of drought affected children in Afar and Somali regions, a rapid assessment has been conducted from 02-08 October 2016. Based on the needs assessment report, the EIE response plan preparation for 2016/17 academic year is in the pipeline. Moreover, for 2017 first phase HRD Meher assessment, preparation of data collection tools is in progress by the Education Cluster.

Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE)Baseline assessment was conducted in CPiE intervention woredas to find the risk factors and level of vulnerability of children in the drought affected population. The assessment clearly revealed that there are children separated from their parents and legal guardians due to the current drought. The finding shows that girls in 6-17 and boys in 12- 17 years age ranges as well as children with disability are at high risk of vulnerability as a result of the drought. Result of the assessment will be used as a bench mark during project evaluation to gauge the positive impacts of our intervention.

On the other hand our consecutive resilience sessions for distressed children start to bear fruits. The reports from the field indicate that children attending the resilience sessions are showing improvements in psychological wellbeing. Currently 2100 children (1074 girls and 1026 boys) are attending the resilience building program in Waghimra, Siti and Abala zones. Parents and caregivers of these children are also attending separate resilience sessions which designed to adult counterparts in the same zones.

Awareness raising campaigns has continue to empower the community and staff towards quality service provision. During reporting period, 4846 adults (2615 female) and 2732 children (1090 girls) reached through mass events and community dialogues. Furthermore; 182 adults (59 female) and 40 children (20 girls) received trainings on child protection and developmental topics.

Child Safeguarding (CSG)Child safeguarding training has been provided for 62 Heads of Woreda Social Affairs Offices and Social Workers (30 female) at Wukro town of Tigray region. The training was conducted in collaboration with Child Protection in Emergencies, Bureau of Labor and Social Affairs office of the region and UNICEF. Totally, 62 (30 female) participants attended the training. In Bale zone of Oromia region awareness creation event was organized for 79 participants. In Dawi Kedane, 69 community groups and volunteers (youth groups) have attended orientation session. In Legehida woreda 8 committee members and 2 volunteers (health professionals) have also taken CSG training.

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FUNDING STATUS AND BENEFICIARY REACH

Key beneficiary statistics Children All Beneficiaries

Number of people affected 5.75 million 10.2 millionNumber of target beneficia-ries 1.4 million (25%) 2.1 million(20%)Number of beneficiaries reached since last Situation Report

153,122

225,470

Total number of direct beneficiaries 1,662,913 2,731,981

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Beneficiary Reachby sector

Total Reach

WASH Nutrition Education FSL ChildProtection

Total # of Children Reached

153,122 3,535 142,290 0 6,297 1,000

Total # of Male Children Reached

73,044 2,007 67,348 0 3,099 490

Total # of Female Reached

80,078 1,528 74,942 0 3,098 510

Total # of Adults Reached

72,348 3,524 59,624 0 8,209 991

Total # of Male Adults Reached

32,769 1,657 26,378 0 4,299 435

Total # of Female Adults Reached

39,579 1,867 33,246 0 3,910 556

Total # of beneficiaries reached

225,470 7,059 201,914 0 14,506 1,991

Total # of Male beneficiaries reached

105,813 3,664 93,726 0 7,498 925

Total # of Female beneficiaries reached

119,657 3,395 108,188 0 7,008 1,066

PROGRAMME OUTPUTS

Sitti Zone of the region has received small amount of Karan rainfall compared with the previous month. The body conditions of livestock have improved significantly. Livestock migration to neighboring region has been observed due to water shortage and long distance between pasture land and water points.

Nutrition and Health• 9,921, under five children (5,449 girls) and 1,710 Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) were screened for malnutrition,

out of which 700 children (381 girls) with SAM cases have been admitted and treated at the OTP sites. And 32 children (14 girls) with medical complication were also treated as an inpatient in the 22 stabilization center that Save the Children established and supported.

• 2,005 under five children (1,118 girls) and 2,142 adults (1,376 females) have been reached through medical consultation and treatment by the mobile health team.

• 4,788 adults (3,484 females) reached through health education • 716 infants (400 baby girls) were vaccinated for different antigens. 464 mothers have been provided the first tetanus toxoid

vaccine (TT) and 318 mothers have been linked to antenatal care (ANC) services.• 152 community health volunteers (64 females) received refresher training on community mobilization and nutrition

education from Erer, Shinile, Ayisha, Dembel and Awbare Woredas for one day. • 35 community elders, religious leaders, Woreda and Kebele administrators received Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)

training was provided to and Woreda administrations in Afdem and Hadigala Woredas.

Funding Overview (US$) Total NotesSave the Children Appeal income target

$100 million (per Save the Children Drought Response strategy June 2014-Dec 2016)

Donor FundingTotal Confirmed to date $93,008,581 (from June 2014 CAT3 to date)

Save the Children drought Appeal contribution

$5,489,650 Total pooled funding contributed by SC Italy- $1,199,000, SC Sweden- $574, 000,SC Hong Kong- $90,000, SC Netherlands- 83,250, SC New Zealand- $27,266,SC Australia- $37,600;SC Spain- $80,300,SCUS- $390,000 and ;SC AUS $ 70,000 AUD

Expenditure to date $68,780,317 (June 2014 – September 2016)

EAST HUB Somali Region

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• 30 health workers (10 females) received two days training on IYCF training to improve Infant and young child feeding practice in Afdem and Hadigala Woreda.

• 21 new mother support groups (each consisting of 15 mothers) had discussion in all the intervention sites of Sitti Zone. The group discussion session is held on a weekly basis and expected to last for 12 weeks and is conducted on a weekly basis.

Food Security and Livelihoods • 1,685 households have participated in cash for work activities in Asbuli, Magala’d, Garmam and Aseba Kebele’s of Sitti

Zone. Conservation works on 210 hectares of land were among the major task done by the beneficiaries. • 40 CAHWS and DRR/EW committees and 10 Woreda animal health experts were trained on disease surveillance and

reporting techniques in Erer and Hadegale Woreda. • 940 households cash for work beneficiaries in Erer Woreda received varieties of vegetable seeds

WASH• 277 households (678 children and 1,118 people) received 100 cartoon of water treatment chemical in Hadigala Woreda.

This water purifying will treat two jerry cans of water (about 25 liters) which can last for a month. • 800 households will be reached through the construction of two hand dug wells in Haraan and Dambal Woredas. • 810 households will be reached through the rehabilitation of two wells in Danbal and Dambal Woredas.

Education in Emergencies (EiE)• 1,374 school children (498 girls) at four schools in Meiso woreda are receiving drinking water. • 150 students will benefit from the construction of temporary learning space at Mencha elementary School in Mieso

Woreda. The temporary learning space has three classrooms and each can accommodate up to 50 students. • 8,351 students (3,902 girls) have been enrolled in targeted schools.1, 403 community members (678 females) were reached

through back to school campaign in 33 target schools. • School feeding program has started in 21 targeted schools in Sitti Zone. The schools have received 530 quintals of CSB,

2,119 liters of oil, 11 quintals of salt and 10.5 quintals of sugar. • 560 people (333 females) have participated in community mobilization on the importance of educating children and

inclusive education for children with special needs in two schools of Hadagala and Didinle Kebeles. • Parent and Teacher Association (PTAs) committees and Kebele Education and Training Boards (KETB)s were trained on

community mobilization. • 48(30 girls) vulnerable children and their families were provided with IGA support through provision of shoats in six

schools at Afdem and Hadhgala Woredas

Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE)• Training on psychosocial support was provided for 22 Community Case Workers and Supervisors in Hadagala Woreda.

This training was aimed at improving the skill and knowledge of community case managers on providing psycho social support to children affected by drought.

• Community Conversations (CC) sessions on illegal migration, early marriage and child labour were conducted in three Kebeles of Shinile Woreda. 97(54 females) have been attended the conversation.

• Child resilience building programme in 20 targeted Kebeles have reached 544 parents and caregivers (319 females) and 375 students (174 girls).

NORTH HUB Afar Region

In Chifra, due to partial rain fall distribution and the availability of browse, body condition of livestock especially of browsers is good. However, maize crop which is at the flowering stage shows water stresses as a result it would have negative impact on the expected crop yields.

Nutrition and Health• Health workers in eight health facilities received supportive supervision on proper admission /discharge criteria, man-

agement of medicines and strengthening the referral system.• Six SAM children with medical complications were treated in health centres of Ewa and Chifra Woredas.

Food Security and Livelihoods• 419 households (101 female headed households) received 1,664 female dairy goats in Chifra Mille and Ewa Woredas. • 200 Cash for work beneficiaries (60 females) received 240,000 birr in total amount in Ewa and Chifra Woredas. Each

beneficiary has received 1,200 birr. • 200 households (60 female headed households) started working cash for work activities in two of Kebeles of Millie

Woreda. Also in Chifra Woreda, 100 households (30 female headed households) started working the activities. • 50 household beneficiaries have received 65,000 birr of cash for work activities in Kofoburu Kebele of Ewa Woreda. • 20 IGG members established in Ewa woreda were trained on focused financial management and documentation.

WASH• 15 new WASH Committee members (7 females) from two Kebeles of Chifra Woreda were trained on water, sanitation

and hygiene.• Three health centre and six health posts in nine Kebeles of Adaar Woreda have received 32,800 sachets of water

purification chemicals. • 28 water management committee (four females) and 24 hygiene volunteers (20 females) were trained on water scheme

management and critical hygiene practice. • 1,200 households received 105,000 sachets purifying chemicals.• 234 household beneficiaries received meat vouchers. Each household received 40 kg camel meat. • 1,400 households benefited from voucher based veterinary drug service in ten Kebeles of Dalole Woreda

Education in Emergencies (EiE)• 767 school children (302 girls) are registered through back to school campaign conducted in nine primary schools from

first grade to fourth grade.

Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE)• 20 targeted schools have received education materials. The students received 30,300 exercise books, 370 erasers and

1,124 pens

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Amhara RegionIn September, North Wollo and Wag Himira Zones received from small to low range of rainfall. But in the third week, Dehana and Gazgibla Woredas low to average amount of rain. South Wollo Zone rainfall has continued to decline both in terms of frequency and intensity. Market prices for crops are stable except in Wag Himra Zone, teff price has shown some decline and price increment in livestock. Water availability is good along with pasture land.

Nutrition and Health• 89,124 under five children and 20,170 Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) were screened during the reporting period.

6,183 PLW were referred to Therapeutic Supplementary Feeding Programme (TSFP) implemented by partner.

WoredaTotal screened children in Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)Under five PLWsSAM MAM >12cm Total <23cm >23cm Total

Chifra 0 4 225 229 32 23 55Ewa 5 28 317 350 3 16 19Addar 6 28 109 143 7 39 46Dewe 13 36 214 263 16 185 201Total 24 96 865 985 58 263 321

WoredaTotal Vaccinated

Ttl Sick <5 ANCIYCF

<1 CBAW Total Ind.c Gr.DChifra 24 0 24 61 28 88 237Ewa 52 23 75 52 15 13 133Addar 40 9 49 30 10 36 184Dewe 90 16 106 0 0 50 470Total 206 48 254 143 53 174 1,024

Tables show outreach service conducted in hard-to-reach areas of Chifra, Adaar , Ewa Dewe Woredas Afar region.

• 87 SAM children were admitted to 78 OTP and 9 SC sites. These sites have scored averagely 89% cure rate, 0% death rate and 1% defaulter rate which is acceptable performance as compared with the national/sphere standard of TFP Program.

• 10 complicated SAM children were referred for advanced treatment to Sekota, Ziquala and Dehana Woredas. • 215 children and 111 PLW were referred to and admitted for SAM treatment at OTP site managed by implementing partner.• 168 OTP and 24 SC sites were strengthened during the reporting period. • 45,800 beneficiaries were reached through health and nutrition education.• On-job training and supportive supervision provided for 8 Health Posts (HPs) and 2 Stabilizing Centres (SC) of Sekota

and Ziquala Woredas. During the visit 11 health centres received technical support aimed to improve their knowledge and quality of TFP services on SAM case detection and identification, admission and discharge procedures, administration of essential routine medicines, recording and reporting and referral services. Apart from it all health extension workers received technical support on how to integrate Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) with Infant Young and Child Feeding (IYCF) to improve the feeding practice of children under two years of age.

• Joint supportive supervision was conducted by government and implementing partners to evaluate undergoing CMAM program implementation in health post and health centers in Sekota Woreda.

• Training on IYCF and nutrition has been provided for 35 (27 Female) Health Extension Workers and cluster focal persons. The training aims to improve the key community-based maternal, & child nutrition practices, to mobilize communities for collective action.

• Ziquala and Sekota Woreda SC sites have received essential drugs for OTP and SC sites.• IYCF cooking and demonstration materials were provided for health centers and health posts which supports to improve

the complimentary food preparation practice of the community.

Food Security and Livelihoods• 2,056 households have received 509 quintals chickpea seeds in Sekota and Ziquala Woredas. • Cash for Work payment was transferred to 4,416 (1,496 female) household beneficiaries in 14 Kebeles from Sekota and

Ziquala Woredas. In total, the beneficiaries have received about 4.2 million birr (190,000USD).• 4,484 households were reached through animal vaccination campaign in Sekota and Gazgibla Woredas. 47,262 shoat, 7,689

cattle and 4,365 pack animals owned by 2,144 households (207 female headed households) in Gazgibla Woreda and 21,652 shoat, 8,578 cattle and 2,322 pack animals owned by 2,340 households (212 female headed households) in Sekota Woreda received the vaccination.

• 138 households have received animal treatment service for 2,530 animals. So far 316 households (86 female headed households) with 3,278 animals benefited from the services.

• 56 (10 females) development agents and community facilitators were trained on agronomic practice for two days in Sekota and Ziquala Woredas.

• 16 (4 females) DAS and community facilitators were trained on small ruminant and poultry management for three days in Ziquala Woreda.

Emergency Food Distribution • 315,805 food commodity beneficiaries in North Wollo have received 5,352 metric tons. Also 59,457 beneficiaries received

267 metric tons of CSB in North Wollo Zone.

Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE)• Child resilience sessions were conducted in 20 schools of Sekota and Ziquala Woredas and in 20 intervention Kebeles in

Raya Kobo and Habru Woredas. 1,000 children (510 girls) attend the session on weekly basis. 969 beneficiaries were trained on positive parenting skills for a month.

• 500 female care givers attended the second round care giver’s resilience session in Sekota and Ziquala Woredas. Also 500 vulnerable children attended the session in 10 Kebeles in Raya Kobo Woreda and 10 Kebeles in Habru Woreda.

• Awareness raising events were conducted for 5,956 community members (2,811 females) 2,232 children (793 girls) and 3,724 (2,018 females) were adults. So far 19,250 community members (9,678 females) were reached on awareness raising event.

• 24 government officials and 18 Save the Children staff in Dessie town were trained on minimum standard for child protection in humanitarian action and first aid psychology.

• 8,568 children (4,672 girls) and adults 4,978 (1864 females) participated on public awareness creation on child protection issues (child labor, child migration and early marriage) in Habru & Raya Kobo Woredas.

• 164 participants (Female, 44) were trained on child protection in emergencies in Raya Kobo and Habru Woredas.

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Tigray RegionThere was no rain fall in some of our intervention areas where it is needed, especially in the first week of September. The rain was important for the crops and livestock fodder. So far in the majority of the intervention Woredas crops are in good condi-tion and emergency seed supported farmers are expecting good production.

Nutrition and Health • 31,424 children were screened for malnutrition, out of which 108 SAM cases and 1,973 MAM cases were identified.

According to the regional early warning weekly report, the rainfall status has improved both in amount and distribution in SNNP except Bench Maji Zone and from South Omo Zone. There was low to medium rainfall reported from Save the Children operational areas except Alle Woreda of Segen Zone. The pasture condition is good in all of operational areas except Dassenech and Nyangatom woredas of South Omo Zone. Animal disease outbreak (Lumpy skin disease) was reported from Selete Zone. Yellow rust outbreak have damaged wheat crop (41% in Sodo , 5-10 % in Halaba ,60% in Mareko and 21% in Meskan). There was scabies outbreak in 57 Kebeles of Halaba Woreda and so far 9,715 cases were identified the diseases.

Nutrition and Health • ThreeSCandfourOTPsitesinHalabaworedaweresupportedthroughsupervision.• 24focalpersonsfromGuraghe,HadiyaZonesandMarekoandGibeWoredasweretrainedPHEM.

Food Security and Livelihoods • 75 (eight females) Development Armies were trained on improved farming and agronomic practice in Mareko Woreda for

three days. • Community facilitators and DAs provided technical assistance and supportive supervision to reach 58 household in 16

Kebeles in Halaba, Mareko, Meskan and Sodo Woredas.

Food Security and Livelihoods • Positive responses received from 361 households during emergency seed post distribution assessment in Enderta and Ofla

Woredas. The Responses included timely distribution, seed quality, amount of seed distribution, beneficiary selection criteria, and satisfaction of emergency seed beneficiaries.

• Three Committees with 14 members were established in Raya-alamata, Raya-azebo and Ofla Woredas to do rehabilitation of degraded communal lands and animal health service provision. The committee member includes varies higher Kebele officials, farmer’s association and development agents.

WEST HUBOromia Region (Bale Zone)

Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Region Region

SOUTH HUB

In bale Zone the rain fall has continued in most the highland Woredas . Availability of water and pasture has improved significantly. Small and erratic rains were received in the lowland areas. Legahida, Sawena, Rayiu, Dawekachen and Guradamole Woredas have shortage of water and pasture land. The body conditions of livestock are not good.

Health and Nutrition• 233 SAM cases without medical complications have been admitted to OTP for treatment.• 12 SAM cases with medical complications have been admitted to Stabilization centre (SC) for treatment.• 3,727 under five children and 6,044 PLW MAM were identified during this month. • 3,417 reached through IYCF promotion.• 18 mothers support group were established to promote breast feeding in all targeted areas.• 3,967 MAM [under five 1,565 and PLW 2,402] receiving TSFP. 2,000 CTNs of CSB++ were provided for the beneficiaries. • 6,044 community members attended awareness creation on disease outbreak and prevention in all targeted woredas.

Food Security and Livelihoods• Emergency wheat and teff seeds were provided to 1,000 households from 15 targeted Kebeles in Legahida Woreda.

WASH• 3,417 community members have attended hygiene and sanitation promotion to advance improved hygiene and sanitation

practices in the community

Save the ChildrenTel: +251 11 372 8455-60ethiopia.savethechildren@savethechildren.orgOld Airport, near to Bisrate Gabriel ChurchAddis Ababa, Ethiopia

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organisation for children. We work in around 120 countries. We provide humanitarian and emergency relief. In Ethiopia we focus on the following programmatic areas: health, HIV and AIDS, nutrition, food security and livelihooods, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education, child protection and Child Friendly National Systems and Structures