The weekly humanitarian report released Tuesday, indicated that critical water shortages continue to be reported in chronic water-insecure areas of Afar, Somali, Oromia, including Borena, East and West Hararghe zones and Tigray.

A United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) assessment mission between 23 and 28 November in Afar reports that the food security situation requires close monitoring.

The poor performance of the last two consecutive rainy seasons (belg and meher 2009) affected pasture and water availability, noting that they will not sustain livestock until the next rainy season in February/March. According to the report, although the condition of livestock is poor, there is no mass livestock death in the region.

The report indicated that critical water shortages continue to be reported in chronic water-insecure areas of Afar, Somali, Oromia, including Borena, East and West Hararghe zones and Tigray.

In Somali Region, MSF Holland reports that the situation in Warder and Geladi woredas (Warder) requires urgent intervention as some communities have started to move towards the northern direction in search of water and pasture. The organization is providing water trucking for 26,000 people in different villages; however the needs on the ground are much greater.

Fedis and Medigatola woredas (Oromia) also require urgent response as there is no potable water in the area. The water truck deployed in the woredas by the zonal water bureau has discontinued service due to technical problems.

In Kafta Humera woreda (Tigray) the water supply system has failed, affecting 10,000 residents and additional thousands of daily laborers. UNICEF provided emergency water treatment kits to the woreda to ensure safe water supply and is also working on hygiene and sanitation promotion activities. Meanwhile, the report indicated that the Tigray Regional Water Bureau deployed water trucks in all the above mentioned woredas that are facing water shortages.