ERCS Provides Humanitarian Assistance In Afar And Moyale

Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) in collaboration with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has provided humanitarian assistance worth of 1.6 million CHF through emergency operation of livelihood (DRR), water, health and sanitation programs in Afar and Moyale areas. The intervention areas are usually known by water shortage where drought is a recurrent phenomenon. As a result, particular involvement of ERCS in the areas is one of the revised components of appeal 2011. According to Ato Gedlu Beyene, Disaster Response Officer of ERCS, the current operation is aimed at constructing two water reservoirs, provision of water treatment chemicals and water filter equipment at household level; and distribution of san-plats to beneficiaries. Moreover, it was planned to provide Early warning, Planning, and other (PHAST, CBHFA and ECV) trainings which are being undertaken in the operation areas. So far 642 people have taken these trainings. Besides, it is learned that the Kettella Dam in Moyale is under construction and already 60 percent of the work has been accomplished. The total cost of this specific project is estimated worth of birr 4 million. In addition, ERCS has distributed Non Food Items that include utensils and blankets that worth birr 300,000 to 2500 displaced families in Elidar woreda(Afar). Besides, ERCS has produced and already distributed san-plats to 500 beneficiaries in Afar and to 1000 people in Moyale. In order to mitigate the health hazards of human and cattle, the ERCS purchased Essential Drugs of worth 740,881 birr and distributed 31 items to three woredas in Afar Region. Generally, as Ato Gedlu explained that the project activities are highly beneficial to over 90,000 beneficiaries and helps the branches to increase their operational capacity significantly. Red Cross volunteers are also deployed in providing humanitarian assistance and dissemination work, it is learned.