Ethiopia should stop organized displacement in the pastoralists areas; Ogaden region – By Yakume A.

The 2013 Humanitarian Requirements Document (HRD) (Ethiopia-HRD_Jan_June-2013-1) covering the first half of the year (Jan-June) was launched on 28 February. The document identifies emergency requirements in the food and non-food sectors based on the findings of the joint multi-sectoral assessment conducted from 20 November to 15 December 2012, as well as government early warning information. In the first half of 2013, some 2.4 million people will require relief food assistance nationwide. As in the previous year, the regions with the highest requirements are Somali (963,801) beneficiaries or 38 per cent), and Oromia (846,417 beneficiaries or 34 per cent).

The pastoralist and agro-pastoralist parts of southern Oromia, central and southern Somali and northern Afar Regions will also likely experience water and pasture shortages, through the next rainy season. However, since mid-February, the Ethiopian Army and its Associated militia-the Liyu Police has occupied most of Ogaden well during the rainy season and has imposed drac onian scheme to collect illegal money on the poor agro pastoral communities.

An average family may bring to the wells 50 camels, 80 goats and sheep, 2 camels carrying water containers for the families ( Dhaan), four members of the family (5950 Bir a day). This may happen twice for the camel watering and four times for the sheep/goat and people a month. The cost to family for a month will be around 12, 800 EBir, which is equivalent to 640 USD (12800 x 0.05). The cost for a family with 40 cows, 2 water-carrying camels, 2 donkeys, 50 goats and sheep, and 3 family members may be around 10,500 Ebir, which is equivalent to 525 USD. The Ogaden Somalis are the poorest in Ethiopia and forced to pay each month six times the amount of Ethiopia’s annual per Capita GDP of 1200 USD.

ONLF