Ongoing earthquakes and volcanic activity in the Afar region of Ethiopia are having a devastating impact on people's lives, causing extensive damage to homes, health centres, schools, roads, farmland and critical infrastructure. Over 50,000 people have been displaced and an ongoing cholera outbreak is adding to the risks people face. We are working with communities in Ethiopia at this critical time to respond to this disaster, secure vital supplies, alleviate suffering and help keep people safe.
There have been more than 30 earthquakes in Ethiopia's Afar Region since 19th December. Several thousand people have been affected and displaced, with houses, farmland and roads destroyed, and livestock lost. The health posts where we work have been badly damaged, as have many other community facilities. There is already an outbreak of cholera which threatens to spread further with the lack of sanitation in resettlement sites, and women and children are particularly vulnerable.
HPA is collaborating with community members, health workers, government agencies and other organisations to meet people's urgent needs. We will mobilize and deploy emergency teams to provide immediate relief, including medical assistance, nutrition support, and shelter. We will also deploy Community Health Workers to deliver health education, conduct screenings, and provide essential healthcare services in temporary shelters and affected communities.
Health Poverty Action has been working with communities in the region since 2006. We work on long-term programmes to build resources, knowledge and skills that enable people to improve their own health, access effective health services, and develop their livelihoods. Through our response to this emergency we will meet both the short and long-term needs of the affected communities, ensuring they can recover from this disaster and start to rebuild their futures.
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