MSF-France Assessment of Senafe Sub Zoba, Zoba Debub, State of ...

3. Senafe Town/ Demographic Information
Senafe is divided into six zones, but includes in its administration three neighboring villages.
The reported current total population and number of households per zone, as well as number of
births and deaths over the last nine months are as follows:
Zone Total # Families # births Total # War related Under 5
Population
deaths deaths deaths
Zone 1 545 135 3 11 3 2
Zone 2 1294 283 2 9 1 3
Zone 3 1072 237 2 5 3 2
Zone 4 1278 276 1 4 0 0
Zone 5 1372 306 3 3 1 1
Zone 6 904 180 4 5 2 1
Zone 7 672 159 3 9 2 1
Matera 920 189 11 6 0 0
Tisha 332 65 0 20 17 2
Afoma 320 105 7 8 7 1
TOTAL 8709 1935 36 80 36 18
These population figures were provided by the zone representatives and are based on lists
prepared for the food distribution. Births and deaths are based solely on recollection because
there were no records kept after the administration left. Based on these grossly under-reported
figures, the Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) for the last 9 months would be approximately of 0.5 per
day per 10,000 population (according to WHO standards, a CMR above 1 death per day per
10 000 people indicates an emergency situation). 45% of the deaths were war-related (mostly
from Tisha residents who were caught in the crossfire because the town was located between the
two army positions), and 22% were deaths of children under 5 years of age.
4. Senafe Town/ Population Structure
A household sample survey of 37 households was done. Houses were randomly chosen, with an
average of 3-4 households per zone visited. The population breakdown by age and gender:
Adult males: 9.3%
Adult females: 25.5%
Children over 5 years of age: 50.6%
Children under 5 years of age: 19.6%
Elderly living alone 4% (8% of the households)
Most of the male and approximately half of the female population were over 50 years of age.
Most of the families live in their own house, with a minority living in rented homes, or in homes
which had been evacuated nine months ago by relatives. Houses are generally made of stone with
tin roofs and are equipped with a wood or kerosene stove, kitchen utensils and beds.
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