Ethiopia

Overview

More than 28 million people in Ethiopia are in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of internal conflict, displacement, and recurrent natural hazards, primarily floods and drought. As at October 2022, an estimated 4.7 million people were displaced internally as a result of conflict (main driver of displacement in the country) and drought. Additional 2 million people are IDP returnees. The country also hosts more than 882,000 refugees from South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan. Most of them have been living in camp settings in Benishangul Gumuz, Gambela, and Somali regions and in the capital city Addis Ababa. ?

 
Several consecutive years of drought and a record fourth consecutive below-average rainfall in southern and southeastern Ethiopia have disrupted the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of farmers and herders, resulted in the death of livestock, and led to a worsening food security situation. People in southern and southeastern pastoral areas are expected to experience Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of food insecurity, here drought conditions are forecasted to persist through at least mid-2023 due to a failed fifth consecutive poor rainfall season in late 2022. ?

 
The resumption of fighting in northern Ethiopia on 24 August 2022, made security in the area highly volatile with airstrikes reported frequently, insecurity recorded along the Tigray-Eritrea boarder, damage on infrastructure, death, and displacement. The signing of a peace deal on 02 November 2022, brought a ceasefire on the 2-year conflict and slow restoration of services like humanitarian access, banking, and telecommunication in Tigray. ?

 
Conflict in other regions, such as Benishangul Gumuz (particularly Metekel and Kemashi zones) and Oromia (including Wellega and Guji zones), continues to affect people’s freedom of movement and livelihood activities. The situation has resulted in displacement and subsequent humanitarian needs. The needs of IDPs have largely remained unmet because of the volatile security situation and major humanitarian access constraints. ? 

INFORM ranks Ethiopia’s risk of humanitarian crisis and disaster as very high at 7.3/10. The lack of coping capacity stands at 6.7/10 and vulnerability at 7.1/10. ?

Latest Developments

The humanitarian situation in Doolo zone, Somali region, is deteriorating, and the influx of 100,000 refugees fleeing conflict in Somaliland since February 2023 is expected to put additional pressure on an already strained health system. Refugees arrive with injuries sustained in conflict and need healthcare services. They are seeking refuge in host communities; some of them are sheltered in schools and in public buildings, while others are sleeping in the open air. Overcrowding in schools and public buildings may increase the risk of measles outbreaks spreading among host communities and refugees. Cholera outbreaks have also been reported in the Liban zone, Somali region, where the newly displaced have found refuge. Southern and southeastern Ethiopia, including Somali region, are experiencing the worst drought in 40 years, which is leading to increased food insecurity and is compounded by limited humanitarian presence because of the remoteness of Doolo zone. Drought-induced malnutrition is widespread among children under five years of age. In addition to WASH, food, and shelter, medical services are urgently needed as a result of displacement. ?