Floods and Health in Gambella region, Ethiopia: An ... - lumes

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FDPPA GRDPPA MOH PAHO WHO UNICEF UNOCHA OFDA CRED ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency Gambella Regional Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency Ministry of Health Pan American Health Organization World Health Organization United Nation International Children’s Emergency Fund United Nation Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters 6
1. INTRODUCTION Floods are known as the most frequent and devastating natural disasters in both developed and developing countries (Osti et al, 2008). Between 2000 and 2008 East Africa has experienced many episodes of flooding (OFDA/CRED, 2008). Almost all of these flood episodes have significantly affected large parts of Ethiopia. Being one of the largest countries in East Africa, Ethiopia’s topography characteristics has made the country pretty vulnerable to floods and resulting destruction and damage to life, economic, livelihoods, infrastructure, services and health system (FDPPA, 2007). Gambella region which is found in the western part of Ethiopia has been particularly hard hit in flood incidences. The floods have often resulted in deaths, drowning, communicable diseases, and malnutrition and cause interruption of health service because of the damage to health infrastructure (Gambella Region Health Bureau, 2006). However different coping strategies have been used to reduce the impact of floods on human health and property by taking measures before the flood happens, during the flood event and in the aftermath of flood (FDPPA, 2007). Despite this effort flood hazards continue to pose multiple risks to human health in Gambella region. In light of this situation one could question the effectiveness of the current coping strategy in the region. This study therefore, set out to assess the strength and weakness of the current flood coping strategies of the region that are aimed at reducing flood related health risks. The study will also make recommendations that can help strengthen the strategies. The result can also be applicable to other regions of Ethiopia with similar problem. The assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of coping mechanism to flood health risk was based on disaster management model suggested by Yesil (2006). Researches in the field of coping with flood risks have largely focused on economy, livelihood and agriculture; little attention has been given to health dimension of flooding (Ahern et al, 2005, Few, 2003). The fact that this sector has received little attention underscores the necessity of this research. Gambella region was chosen for three reasons: 1) the region is prone to floods 2) No significant research has been done in the region 3) the region is one of the least developed in all aspects including 7
Page 1 and 2: Floods and Health in Gambella regio
Page 3 and 4: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am most grateful
Page 5: List of Figures Figure 1: Flood Pro
Page 9 and 10: 1.3. BACK GROUND 1.3.1 Types and ca
Page 11 and 12: 1.3.2 Health Impact of Flooding The
Page 13 and 14: In addition, severe damage to hospi
Page 15 and 16: Animal husbandry is the main econom
Page 17 and 18: 2.2 Data collection and Data Analys
Page 19 and 20: The flood disaster management seque
Page 21 and 22: 3.3.1 Structural measures From dire
Page 23 and 24: problem in collecting the data from
Page 25 and 26: 4. Discussion Lack of flood-specifi
Page 27 and 28: Regional government of Gambella has
Page 29 and 30: 5. Recommendations and Conclusion 5
Page 31 and 32: 6. REFERENCE Ahern, M., Kovats, R.,
Page 33 and 34: Gambella Region Disaster Prevention
Page 35 and 36: Pan America Health Organization, (2
Page 37 and 38: 7. APPENDIX Appendix 1 Table 2: sho
Page 39 and 40: 21. If no what do you use?.........
Page 41 and 42: 1. Is there specific policies relat

Floods and Health in Gambella region, Ethiopia: An ... - lumes

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