A girl crosses an area of land affected by flooding. Large areas of the region have become inaccessible, further increasing displacement and impacting livelihoods. OCHA/Muayad Khdear
Humanitarian assistance remains an essential lifeline for 20 million Ethiopians who shoulder the weight of multi-faceted humanitarian situations driven by man-made and natural hazards, including conflict, climatic shocks (drought and floods), as well as disease outbreaks. Many parts of the country have been or continue to be ravaged by hostilities, resulting in prolonged displacements of currently 4.5 million people and enormous humanitarian needs. This, for Ethiopia, comes on top of being the third largest refugee hosting African country with over 942,000 refugees assisted across 24 active camps and sites.
Kobe, Ethiopia
Farhiya Abdi Hassan (left), a refugee from Somalia and a host community member, Ilama Rashiid Ibrahim (right) take a rest from farming potatoes, they are both beneficiaries of an agricultural cooperative.
UNHCR/Tiksa Negeri
Ethiopia has over the past several years been affected by recurring droughts, increasing in both duration and frequency1. The most recent drought caused by six consecutive failed rainy seasons (2022-23) is considered the most severe one the country has seen in 40 years2. Drought is a major driver of food insecurity, and while sufficient rainfall has given relief (water availability and pasture) to previously drought-affected areas, recovery from the drought will take several years. In contrast, excessive seasonal rains have led to floods (March – May), displacing tens of thousands of people and causing additional livelihood and infrastructure loss. In addition, weather forecasts indicate that El Niño weather events in late 2023 and early 2024 will lead to more heavy rainfall and flooding (as observed in September and November), which will likely increase the number of new IDPs and risks to increase humanitarian needs, including the spread of water borne diseases. The ongoing cholera outbreak is considered the longest ever recorded in the country, since the existence of the disease was established in August 2022.
Due to both domestic and global economic shocks, the inflation rate in Ethiopia is among the highest recorded globally at over 30 per cent. As a result, prices of essential commodities have soared while the purchasing power of Ethiopians continues to be eroded. Allegations of widespread food aid diversion and its impact on the food aid distribution have deepened pre-existing vulnerabilities and contributed to food insecurity in the country. The manifestation of high malnutrition levels is also observed amid food insecurity, along with lack of sufficient nutrition response.
Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Hassan works at a cholera treatment centre and is training to disinfect sites. This work is a vital part of response to the ongoing outbreak.
"It's all about serving my community, that's what makes me happy, playing my part in saving lives.”
OCHA/Ciara Wallace
Response priorities in 2024
In order to meet the high needs in 2024, in light of decrease in expected funds for 2024, partners will prioritize response to new events/crisis, acute humanitarian needs in areas where intersectoral severity is at least extreme, and to the needs of people that have been identified to face extreme sectoral deprivation. At the same time, humanitarian partners will be strengthening the linkages with development and peace partners to work toward achieving sustainable solutions through focusing on critical resilience activities that were part of the Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs) in the previous years. Furthermore, immediate resumption of food distribution in a principled, targeted, and accountable manner is a top priority for all partners. Additional priorities for 2024 include cholera prevention and control, nutrition response, immediate support to facilitate voluntary IDP returns in safety and dignity, facilitating unimpeded access and delivery of lifesaving humanitarian workers and supplies.