Nutrition Update
The government's Emergency Nutrition Coordination Unit (ENCU) reported a generally stable nutrition situation at the national level in September, although some areas in Amhara (Wogera woreda) and Benishangul Gumuz (Banbasi) require close monitoring. Assessments are planned for these woredas. Based on the September Therapeutic Feeding Programmes (TFP) monthly reports received from Afar, Amhara, Oromia, SNNP, Somali and Tigray, a total 15,178 severely malnourished children were admitted at 5,297 TFP sites (overall reporting rate of 73.2 per cent for the month). According to ENCU, admissions to TFP showed a decreasing trend in August and September 2010, after holding stable between April and July. Decreased admissions rates were particularly reported in SNNP and Oromia, with a reporting rate over 83 per cent. In Tigray, trends in admissions fluctuated during the reporting period, while it has been difficult to describe the trends in Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz and Somali regions due to low reporting rates. TFP performance on all indicators, including cure, death and defaulter rates, was above the standard cut-off points for both national and Sphere minimum standards. According to ENCU projections, TFP admissions are expected to continue to decrease through the end of 2010 before stabilizing in the early months of 2011. The standard nutrition assessment conducted by the NGOs Save the Children UK and Merlin in Melka Soda woreda (Borena zone, Oromia) indicates a 'normal' nutrition situation. The results of surveys conducted in Somali and Amhara regions are still being analyzed. Also in September, UNICEF provided on-the-job training on quality care provision in TFPs to 14 health extension workers and 10 nurses from Gonder Zuria, West Bellesa, Ankober, Basoworena, Merhabete and Gidan woredas in Amhara. In SNNPR, the Halaba Special Woreda health office and UNICEF conducted a joint monitoring in 38 per cent of health posts and recommended regular supportive supervision, refreshment trainings and monitoring of supplies. Meanwhile, the NGO Merlin strengthened nutrition interventions in flood-affected woredas of Afar Region. Nutrition actors have completed the hotspot classification Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Oromia, SNNP, Somali and Tigray, and the results have been submitted to the Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS) for compilation. DRMFSS is following up with the remaining regions to ensure a comprehensive revision of the national hotspot woreda list for response planning and coordination. For more information, contact: isaackm@dppc.gov.et& kmcdonald@unicef.org