ADDIS ABABA, June 1 , 2005 - IAS has received a grant of 600,000 SEK from Sida through Swedish Mission Council for assistance to flood victims in East Ethiopia. Heavy rains fell in the highland areas of Oromia and the lowlands of Somalia Region in the SW area of Ethiopia during April causing the banks of the Wabeshabelle River to burst on the 28th April, 2005.

The flooding has led to loss of life (approx 154 people) and thousands suffering loss of homes and livestock. Due to difficulties in accessing the affected zones (lack of roads and continuing flooding), accurate information has been scarce. The Regional President declared a state of emergency on the 29th April and the Ethiopian Government’s Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC) has flown in some food and non-food items although not sufficient for all those affected. As the flood waters are now receding, the true situation is becoming apparent and the needs becoming more concrete. There are still areas where people have received no assistance or only food but no help to build temporary shelters. There are also the added problems of an increase of mosquitoes leading to malaria and of water born diseases.

International Aid Services has an office in Addis Ababa and since last year, is undergoing surveys in the region for starting a water programme that involves the construction of shallow wells planned to start May/June but now delayed due to the flooding. IAS has built up knowledge of the area and relationships with the local authorities and the DPPC. The World Food Programme and the DPPC will continue to distribute food to the area and IAS has been requested to contribute with basic shelter and non-food items – blankets, mosquito nets and plastic sheeting.

The IAS Country Director Arnulf Hogetveit will monitor and evaluate the operation together with two Ethiopian staff who have many years of experience in coordinating both humanitarian and development operations and the cooperation of the local authorities and villagers.