A devastating series of earthquakes in the Awash Fentale and Dulecha woredas of the Afar region has caused significant damage to a sugar estate employing over 4,000 workers. The disaster has forced all employees to flee, leaving them displaced.
They join a total of over 9,000 families who have left their homes and belongings behind in the two woredas.
Local aid coordinators have confirmed an influx of people into the Sidi Afagi Daido camp in Amibara, as well as the Irebhara (China Camp) shelter in Awash Fentale.
It has been reported to regional authorities that many have also sought refuge in Awash and Argoba.
However, given the increasing number of victims and the ongoing nature of the disaster, the support provided has been insufficient.
According to the authorities, the primary responsibility of supporting all affected communities has fallen on the regional administration. Local authorities have appealed for increased support from all relevant parties.
Ahmed Ibrahim, head of the Afar Regional Culture and Youth Bureau and coordinator of the newly established disaster response task force, said that the number of displaced people arriving at the camps is increasing daily.
He added that efforts are being made to deliver the necessary food and supplies.
He indicated that 10 makeshift schools have been set up in tents, while three health clinics have been opened to provide basic services in the shelters. Food stores are sufficient to feed more than 200 heads of livestock, according to Ahmed.
“We have also prepared three water distribution points and installed 14 storage tanks for the livestock affected in the region,” he told The Reporter. “However, this is not enough. This is because we also have the responsibility of supporting the Kesem Sugar Factory workers.”
Negassie Bekele, an education expert in Dulecha Woreda, told The Reporter that a total of seven schools have been closed following the earthquake.
“‘Three schools have been completely destroyed, and four others have been closed out of caution,” he said.
Three of these are primary schools, three are pre-schools, and one is a secondary school. Over 700 students have had their studies disrupted as a result.
However, 11 schools within a 20-kilometer radius of the volcanic activity and ground fissures continue to teach despite the ongoing risk.
Meanwhile, Ali Sokoro, head of the Dulecha Health Bureau and a coordinator in the task force, said that six health facilities have been damaged by the earthquakes.
“Two health centers have been completely destroyed, and three have been partially damaged,” he told The Reporter.
Ali said that the damage has led to the interruption of health services for over 600 households.
He added that the region is working to continue providing services by setting up health clinics in tents in displacement camps.
Mohammed Ismael, head of the Afar Regional Disaster Prevention Bureau, said that efforts to provide water, supplies, and food aid to the displaced have been insufficient.
“Although efforts are being made to respond quickly to the crisis, it is not enough,” he said.
Nevertheless, regional authorities rely on the National Disaster Risk Management Commission to provide emergency aid to the people in shelters.
