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Ethiopia

Ethiopia: Flash Update #4 - Seismic Situation in Afar and Oromia (as of 23 January 2025)

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This update is prepared by UNOCHA with the support and collaboration of IASC cluster coordinators and partners. Further updates will be provided, as needed. Boundaries, names and designations of districts/zones indicated in the narration in the report do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Please contact ocha-ethcommunication@un.org for any comment or question you may have on this publication.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Seismic activity linked to the Fentale volcanic complex continues to affect Afar and Oromia, with earthquakes causing infrastructure damage and widening fissures. 90,000 people are at risk. Approximately 75,000 people are being evacuated. It remains uncertain whether an eruption will occur.
  • UN and NGO partners are supporting the government-led response, providing food, safe water, health and nutrition services, emergency shelter, and essential items, and efforts are underway to resume education for affected children. Critical gaps remain, particularly in access to water, sanitation, shelter, nutrition and health services, especially in Oromia.
  • Evacuation efforts face challenges, as some residents, particularly pastoralists, are hesitant to leave due to concerns about livestock and property.
  • Humanitarian teams have conducted a Multi-Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) to identify needs and guide relief efforts.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Seismic activity continues in the Afar and Oromia regions, with 177 earthquakes recorded since 21 December, the strongest measuring a magnitude of 5.7. The regions have experienced comparatively fewer earthquakes recently, with 9 recorded in the last 7 days (magnitudes 4.4 to 5.1), down from approximately 60 over a 7-day period at the peak of activity. However, the situation remains unpredictable.

These tremors are linked to the Fentale volcanic complex in the Main Ethiopian Rift, which has shown gradual ground deformation since 2021. The surge in activity since late December 2024 has caused steam vents to release gases and steam, due to magma movement. It is unclear whether an eruption will occur, and if so, if it will erupt from Fentale, Dofen, or a new location. Scientific assessments are ongoing, but predictions remain uncertain.

The earthquakes have caused significant damage to homes, health centres, schools, and roads, with widening fissures disrupting key roads. There are concerns over the safety of the Kesam/Sabure Dam and the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway.

According to local authorities in Afar and Oromia, 90,000 people are at risk and the Government, supported by UN and NGO partners, is evacuating approximately 75,000 people (approximately 20,000 in Oromia and 55,000 in Afar) to safer locations, with temporary shelters and food distributions underway. However, many pastoralists are hesitant to evacuate due to concerns about livestock and property, while security concerns complicate aid efforts in some areas.

Zonal Incident Command Posts (ICPs) in Awash (Afar) and Metehara (Oromia) are leading the response, with OCHA co-chairing efforts to streamline coordination. Humanitarian teams on the ground have conducted a Multi-Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) to identify humanitarian needs, which is now guiding relief efforts.

UN and NGO partners are supporting the government-led response, providing food, safe water, health and nutrition services, emergency shelter, and essential items, and efforts are underway to resume education for affected children.

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) is also targeting 10,000 people in Afar and Oromia for humanitarian assistance.

Critical response gaps remain, particularly in Oromia, where the presence of partners is limited, and response rates are significantly lower. According to the MIRA reports for both regions, urgent needs include access to safe water and sanitation services, especially the construction of emergency latrines, emergency shelter, essential non-food items like blankets and cooking materials, nutrition support, and health services. Further interventions are planned, however, more resources are urgently needed.

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