ERCS and ICRC respond to conflict emergency in Gedeo zone

As a result of the conflict between Gedeo and West Guji communities, more than 1 million people have been displaced. There are currently 865,555 internally displaced people (82%) in the Gedeo zone, and another 188,042 people (18%) displaced in the West Guji zone.

 

Starting from 1 August 2018, ERCS and ICRC have been providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by the conflict by supplying essential shelter and non-food items. Emergency kits containing 14 items, including sleeping mats, jerry cans, blankets, tarps, soap and kitchen sets are being distributed. It is expected that ERCS and ICRC will provide assistance to is approximately 103,000 individuals from 17,250 households in the Gedeo zone.

 

So far over 3,000 households have received the relief items, with further provisions being distributed in the coming days. Volunteers of ERCS have been mobilized from Dila Town, and experts from ICRC are assisting the handover of the emergency assistance.

 

As part of the response, 20 tankers containing 5,000 litres of water have also been delivered, and water pumps have been installed to provide a supply of clean water. ICRC has received a budget extension of 1million USD for WASH, health and economic security interventions for the Gedeo crisis.

 

In addition to the response in the various Woredas of the Gedeo zone, ERCS has provided supplementary food to 2,000 people in the South Omo zone; as well supplementary food and non-food items to 1,000 households in Hawassa City during the conflict between Sidama and Wolaita communities.