Semien Omo Zone

Semien Omo (or "North Omo") is a Zone in the Ethiopian Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR). This zone is named for the Omo River, which flows in its western area. While in their latest population estimates the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) includes it as a single Zone, the list of second administrative level bodies maintained by the United Nations Geographic Information Working Group divides it into two -- Dawro and Gamo Goffa -- and categorizes Basketo as a special woreda. [ [http://www.who.int/whosis/database/gis/salb/salb_coding.htm Names and codes for January 2000, Ethiopia] (WHO website). The information in the WHO spreadsheet is built on information received 18 September 2002 from the Ethiopian Ministry of Federal Affairs.]

Semien Omo is bordered on the south by Debub Omo, on the west by Keficho Shekicho, on the northwest by the Oromia Region, on the north by Kembata Alaba and Tembaro, on the northeast by part of the Oromia Region, on the east by the Bilate River which separates it from Sidama and another part of the Oromia Region, and on the southeast by the Amaro and Dirashe Special Woredas. The highest point in Semien Omo is Mount Gurage, northwest of Chencha, and this mountain is also the highest summit (3719 m) in the SNNPR.

The Central Statistical Agency (CSA) reported that 8,364 tons of coffee were produced in Semien Omo in the year ending in 2005, based on inspection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea authority. This represents 7.27% of the SNNPR's output and 3.7% of Ethiopia's total output. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Table D.2] The administrative center of Semien Omo is Arba Minch; other towns include Areka, Boditi, Sawla and Sodo.

Demographics

Based on figures from the CSA in 2005, this zone has an estimated total population of 3,741,304, of whom 1,853,003 were males and 1,888,301 were females; 319,493 or 8.5% of its population are urban dwellers. With an estimated area of 23,911.03 square kilometers, Semien Omo has an estimated population density of 156.47 people per square kilometer. [CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Tables B.3 and B.4]

According to a May 24, 2004 World Bank memorandum, 4% of the inhabitants of Semien Omo have access to electricity, this zone has a road density of 36.4 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers (compared to the national average of 30 kilometers), [" [http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&theSitePK=523679&entityID=000112742_20030530104124&searchMenuPK=64187283&theSitePK=523679 Ethiopia - Second Road Sector Development Program Project] ", p.3 (World Bank Project Appraisal Document, published 19 May 2003)] the average rural household has 0.4 hectare of land (compared to the national average of 1.01 hectare of land and an average of 0.89 for the SNNPR) [Comparative national and regional figures comes from the World Bank publication, [http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?ImgPagePK=64202990&entityID=000094946_03032704080562&menuPK=64168175&pagePK=64210502&theSitePK=477938&piPK=64210520 Klaus Deininger et al. "Tenure Security and Land Related Investment", WP-2991] (accessed 23 March 2006)] the equivalent of 0.4 heads of livestock. 29.7% of the population is in non-farm related jobs, compared to the national average of 25% and a Regional average of 32%. 67% of all eligible children are enrolled in primary school, and 21% in secondary schools. 83% of the zone is exposed to malaria, and 28% to Tsetse fly. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 322. [ [http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTETHIOPIA/Resources/PREM/FourEthiopiasrev6.7.5.May24.pdf World Bank, "Four Ethiopias: A Regional Characterization"] (accessed 23 March 2006).]

Woredas

*Arba Minch Zuria
*Basketo
*Boloso Sore
*Bonke
*Boreda Abaya
*Chencha
*Damot Gale
*Damot Weyde
*Dita Dermalo
*Ela (woreda)
*Gofa Zuria
*Humbo
*Isara Tocha
*Kemba
*Kindo Koysha
*Kucha
*Loma Bosa
*Mareka Gena
*Melokoza
*Offa
*Sodo Zuria
*Zala Ubamale

Notes