USAID Provides Emergency Assistance to Ethiopia Flooding Victims

August 17, 2006
No. 25/06

Dire Dawa, Ethiopia – The people and the Government of the United States of America express their condolences to the people of Dire Dawa for the suffering caused by the flooding of the Dechatu river on August 6, 2006, in which over 250 people died, 300 people remain missing, 6,000 people were displaced, and more than 9,000 people are in need of emergency assistance.

In response to this tragedy, the U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has already provided $85,000 in humanitarian relief commodities and services for individuals affected by the disaster.  Through partner agencies CARE, GOAL, Population Services International, and the International Rescue Committee, USAID has provided emergency food, mattresses, water containers, water treatment materials, and commodities to relieve the suffering of those displaced by the flooding.  The food supplies (170 metric tons of wheat and rice) being distributed to flood victims by the World Food Programme, includes food provided by the U.S. government. 

USAID’s Mission Director, Mr. Glenn Anders, and staff and Commander Paul Vandenberg of the U.S. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) are visiting Dire Dawa today to assess emergency needs, meet with the Mayor and representatives from the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau (DPPB), and to make recommendations for additional assistance.

Among the most pressing humanitarian needs are the provision of shelter and sanitation services for 6,000 newly homeless individuals who are temporarily being housed in schools in the area.  Suitable shelter must be found for them before school begins again.  The United States is committed to assisting in providing shelter for the displaced population.

The U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional updates as necessary.

For more information on USAID’s disaster assistance program, please visit our website: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.

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