Ethiopia: Landslides - Jul 2024

Heavy rains on 21 and 22 July caused three successive landslide incidents in a mountainous area in Gezei Gofa Woreda of Gofa Zone, South Ethiopia Region, according to local authorities. At least 157 people have reportedly died and more than 14,000 people affected, including 6,750 people in Koncho Gozji Kebele and 7,765 people in Koncho Wiza Kebele as of the morning hours of 23 July. [...] Search and rescue operations are ongoing, under the leadership of local authorities with the support from the Ethiopian Red Cross and community members. The death toll is expected to rise, according to local authorities. A similar, but lower-scale landslide incident had occurred in May 2024 in the same area, where more than 50 people had died. Weather extremes, such as floods and droughts, have been major drivers of humanitarian needs in Ethiopia. The scale of the impact of the incident, including displacement and damages to livelihoods, will be further clarified once the planned multi-agency assessment is completed. (OCHA, 23 Jul 2024)

The death toll continues to rise after the landslides triggered by heavy rainfall that occurred on 21-22 July in Gezei Gofa Woreda of Gofa Zone (South Ethiopia Region, south-western Ethiopia). According to media, at least 229 people have died while the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) reports 600 people have been displaced due to the events. (ECHO, 25 Jul 2024)

As of 26 July, the situation in Gezei Gofa Woreda was reported to have left 236 confirmed dead and 13 rescued making it Ethiopia’s deadliest landslide. The deceased include 30 pregnant or lactating women and one child under the age of five, and it is feared that the death toll will continue to rise. [...] The latest assessment estimates the total number of people directly affected (as of 25 July) at over 15,515 including 6,750 people in Koncho Gozji Kebele and 7,765 people in Koncho Wiza Kebele. (IFRC, 1 Oct 2024)