Humanitarian Response
GOAL Ethiopia operates a complex, multifaceted, geographically diverse emergency response programme that responds to crises in the following ways.
We operate a Community Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programme that includes the training of health staff, food distributions, the treatment of malnourished children, and nutrition education. As part of this programme, we also conduct surveys and assessments and are involved in information sharing and early warning systems.
GOAL responds to epidemics and outbreaks of malaria, acute-water diarrhoea/cholera, and measles by providing logistical support health staff for a rapid response to any such emergency, and by the supply of medicines for the treatment of these diseases.
In drought affected areas GOAL provides water tankering, water source disinfection, hygiene promotion, and the repair and maintenance of water systems.
For families suffering from food insecurity, GOAL provides seeds and fertilizers, targeting families with children on nutrition programmes to improve medium-term food security.
During incidences of localised conflict or natural emergencies that cause displacement of large numbers of families, GOAL provides non-food items such as delph, blankets, bed sheets, sleeping mats, plastic sheeting, sacks, cooking dishes, pitcher/jugs and utensils.
2011 Drought
GOAL is responding to deteriorating drought conditions in the southern and eastern parts of Ethiopia.
Our team on the ground has been tankering water to some of the worst affected areas to meet basic needs and to stave off health problems, due to lack of water.
The drought is particularly affecting pastoralist/desert areas of the country, where oxen, camel and goats are the main livelihood resources. Cattle are dying in large numbers and GOAL will shortly start a scheme to incinerate carcasses to prevent the spread of illness.
We are also engaged in well/spring maintenance and hygiene promotion.
In the event of an outbreak of disease, GOAL is ready to respond, with the provision of medicines, training and logistical support. In order to help the most vulnerable families, GOAL is providing seeds, fertilisers and appropriate training to thousands of households.
(GOAL Ethiopia is currently utilising emergency response funding from the Irish government (Irish Aid), the US government (USAID) and the European Union (ECHO) to respond to the humanitarian crisis affecting Ethiopia. The funding is targeting nutrition, WatSan, emergency health and agriculture livelihood recovery responses in the SNNP, Oromia and Amhara Regions).