IOM Aids 560 Displaced Families in Somali Region of Ethiopia

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- IOM Ethiopia has distributed essential non-food aid (NFIs) to 560 internally displaced households in Halobiyo, Kebele, Babile Woreda, in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia.

The assistance consisted of temporary shelter materials, cooking sets and sanitation. IOM worked closely with the Kebele local administration to ensure that the aid reached the most vulnerable households.

IOM has conducted similar distributions in a variety of locations across the Somali Regional State over the past year for internally displaced persons (IDPs) forced to leave their homes due to natural disasters and ethnic conflict.

In September it distributed NFIs in Hardin Kebele, Maiso Woreda in Siti Zone. Earlier distributions took place in Shabelle, Korahay, Faafan Nogob and Liban Zones.

It also conducted mass awareness raising on gender and HIV/AIDS, in coordination with government Woreda women's affairs experts.

Speaking at the Halobiyo distribution site, the Babile Woreda Administrator, Abdullahi Ismail, said that the government is working closely with IOM and other partners to identify disaster-affected areas.

He commended IOM's efforts in the provision of the essential assistance citing similar interventions conducted in Mayo Muluko and Kubi Woredas of the Nogob Zone.

With above normal rainfall in the region and rising river levels, it is expected that additional displacement may occur in Shebele Zone in the near future, which may require further distributions.

IOM aid in the Somali Region is funded by the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO).