22-006-SP Alert Note Worsening Severe Drought in Somali Region, Ethiopia (Not Activated)

OFROSOM has submitted an alert to DERF regarding worsening of the severe drought in Somali Region, Ethiopia.

The areas affected are the Somali Region in Ethiopia and most parts of SNNP and Sidama, as well as across the
lowlands of southern Oromia, particularly in Bale, East Bale, Borena, Guji and West Guji zones. West and Haro Guduru Wollega zones of Oromia Region.

According to the Regional Drought Response Plan for the Horn of Africa of Jan 2022, Somali Region is the most drought affected part of Ethiopia and an estimated 3,7 million people of Somali Region will require relief, which corresponds to 59% of the Somali Region population. Overall, the impact of the drought on pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities in eastern and southeastern Ethiopia continues to deepen. A recent needs assessment in East Hararge Zone (Oromia) indicates that some 627,000 people across 11
woredas require urgent water assistance.