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Ethiopia

Ethiopia: The 2018 HDRP is facing a US$416.4 million funding shortfall to cover needs until the end of the year

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7.95 million people are targeted for relief food/cash assistance, while 9.45 million people require non-food support nationwide

Addis Ababa, 08 October 2018: Following the Government and humanitarian partners’ multi-sector midyear assessment conducted between late June and early July, the 2018 Humanitarian and Disaster Resilience Plan (HDRP) was revised to reflect changes in the humanitarian context. At least 7.95 million people are currently targeted for relief food/cash assistance, while 9.45 million people require non-food support nationwide, at a cost of US$1.494 billion. The HDRP is currently facing a gap of $416.4 million.

Despite the general good performance of this year’s belg/spring rains, the number of people targeted for relief food and cash support remains largely unchanged due to the significant spike in internal displacement since April 2018. The displaced population, who have often fled with nothing more than personal possessions, as well as returnees who are going back to burnt houses and lost livelihoods, will require continued holistic support to sustain their lives and rebuild their livelihoods.

Ethiopia continues to respond to the needs of people affected by two years of drought and to around one million people who were displaced due to the conflict along the Oromia and Somali border in September 2017. Beginning in April 2018, the country faced an additional surge in conflict-induced displacement along the SNNP-Oromia regional border. Local authorities and host communities were first to respond to this sudden, unforeseen crisis, providing IDPs with life-saving assistance, including food, water, and nonfood supplies.

“International partners acknowledge and appreciate the Government of Ethiopia’s lead in addressing the IDP crisis in the country, especially in the first half of 2018. In particular, we appreciate the increasing access granted to partners to conduct protection monitoring, assess humanitarian needs, and provide assistance to internally displaced people,” said Ms. Gillian Mellsop, the acting Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia. “We will continue to scale up the response for the remainder of the year to provide assistance to the affected people, wherever the needs may be; but we urgently require additional funding,” she added.

Ethiopia is at a crossroads. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, the Government is implementing key reforms to broaden the political, civic and economic space. However, the impact of inter-communal tensions present a challenge for the new leadership. Localized inter-communal violence continues to cause large scale displacement, civilian casualties, as well as damage of properties and infrastructure. Although the situation requires a long-term political solution, in the interim, urgent lifesaving assistance should be maintained, while facilitating a sustainable return of IDPs where conditions allow.

For further information, please contact:

Choice Okoro; Head Strategic Communications Unit, Cell. +251-911216465 Email: okoroc@un.org
Malda Nadew; National Information Office, Cell. +251-929034346. Email: nadew@un.org
Mengistu Dargie; National Public Information and Reporting Officer Cell: +251-911-742381 Email: dargie@un.org

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