AMREF in Action in Remote South Omo
Canadian Melissa Jennings recently worked with AMREF in Ethiopia. Read about her experiences
working to bring health care to remote communities in South Omo.
By Melissa Jennings
January 19, 2010
Anthropologically speaking 
The groups that occupy South Omo, the southern area of the SNNPR (Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region) are some of National Geographic’s favourite subjects; it’s not hard to see why with over 30 ornately decorated and fiercely independent ethnic groups coexisting on the same piece of land for centuries. Recently the Ethiopian government and some enterprising individuals have seen the market value of this anthropological and geographical jewel and have been ushering Ethiopian and foreign tourists into this otherwise guarded world. The going rate for foreign tourists to rent a Land Rover, equipment, hotel and hired guide is USD $800 per day so for me to be able to accompany AMREF Ethiopia staff to the project office in South Omo was a truly incredible opportunity.
Journey to Jinka
It takes 2 full days by Land Rover to reach Jinka. This is partially because of the distance but mainly because of the road conditions. Our entire second day on the road is spent dodging collapsed bridges and careening along dried riverbeds, remnants of the last flood, at 40km/hr.
The last Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jinka was in 2005, now only chartered planes rarely land on the airstrip which is now occupied by goats and a few hawkers. Due to its isolation Jinka faces regular shortages of fuel, electricity and water. Phone service is sporadic and the price of accommodations and food is double that of the capital city Addis Ababa.
AMREF Office in Jinka
South of the city of Arba Minch AMREF is one of only three Non Governmental Organizations with permanent offices in the area. AMREF’s Jinka offices are staffed with people from the local area and Addis Ababa. They have a variety of backgrounds, including a doctor, and two nurses. This technical expertise means that AMREF Ethiopia has the capacity to provide medical services including inoculations, consultations and training along with administrative and project work.
With an estimated 1 doctor per 240,000 people in this deserted and hard to reach landscape, the South Omo government relies heavily on organizations like AMREF to train health workers to make house calls, build health posts, provide clean drinking water, immunize children and provide information on a range of topics from sexual and reproductive health to nutrition.
Challenges
As we are leaving Jinka, there is a phone call from the local government reporting the outbreak of Cholera, otherwise known by its less politically charged title Acute Watery Diarrhea. The official is asking AMREF Ethiopia for emergency assistance to contain the spread. Unlike other areas of Ethiopia, South Omo’s main challenge is not necessarily poverty but isolation and gaining access to mobile pastoralist populations and to others farming in locations that are only accessible by foot, takes great effort and planning.
A Ray of Opportunity
The climate in the region is also very diverse, with one area getting pummelled with rain while an area less than 50kms away writhes in drought. The most amazing opportunity presents itself as I consider the challenges: a meeting at the town teaching hospital. The meeting will include community representatives, government officials and AMREF staff. I look forward to participating and discussing the successes of the past year and the way forward.
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