More than 250 people have been reported killed, amid fears the death toll could rise to more than 500, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a flash update on the disaster, issued on Thursday.
Gezei Gofa Woreda, in southern Ethiopia, was hit by three consecutive landslides following heavy rains on July 21 and 22. More than 15,500 people are believed to have been affected, including at least 1,320 children under five and 5,293 pregnant and lactating mothers.
“These People are at high risk of further landslides and need to evacuate to safe areas immediately.“The federal government, in coordination with regional and local agencies, is finalizing evacuation plans,” the update said.
Search and rescue efforts led by local authorities and supported by the Ethiopian Red Cross and the community are also underway.
“[They are] mainly digging through mud piles with bare hands and spades because there was no other choice,” the update added.
UN Secretary-General ‘deeply saddened’
In one declareThe UN Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of life and sends his condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Ethiopia, said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General.
The statement noted: “The United Nations and partners are working closely with the Government, assessing the humanitarian situation to determine the extent of damage and assess the humanitarian needs of the affected population.”
“UN agencies are delivering food, nutrition, medical and other vital supplies to help those affected by the landslides.“, it added.
United Nations response
OCHA also reported that UN agencies and humanitarian partners have delivered initial relief supplies to meet urgent needs.
United Nations World Food Programme (World food program) will continue to send more food supplies on Friday, including grains, beans and vegetable oil, to meet the needs of 14,500 people for two months.
Similarly, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) delivered water and sanitation supplies, including 17,000 laundry soaps, 96,000 water treatment chemical strips, 1,000 plastic sheets, 17,000 plastic cans and five emergency medical kits.
United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) has also prepared additional supplies of these items for shipment.
World Health Organization of the United Nations (WHO) sent medical supplies, including first aid and trauma kits as well as medical supplies for cholera, measles and severe malnutrition.
