Attachments
More than US$112.4 million is essential to save the lives of 1.2 million acutely malnourished children under-five, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women in 2025 in the most affected and prioritized locations. Prioritization is carried out in locations with high GAM prevalence, limited humanitarian access, significant response gap and areas with high intersectoral severity classification.
PURPOSE
In 2025, nutrition partners face significant pipeline disruption to respond with life-saving activities to malnourished boys, girls, and pregnant and lactating women. Hence, this is a call to action for all partners to mobilize resources to alleviate the increasing burden of acute malnutrition in the most affected communities.
CURRENT CONTEXT
SMART+ Survey Results (Link to survey results)
The malnutrition crisis in Ethiopia's most affected communities is being exacerbated by multiple factors. Alarming levels of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM), with rates exceeding the critical/very high threshold of 15%, have been documented in various regions where a Standardized Monitoring Assessment for Relief and Transition (SMART) survey has been conducted in 2024.
2024 Response Monitoring Data Highlights (2024 dashboard)
• The Emergency Nutrition Coordination Unit (ENCU) / Nutrition Cluster partners, reached 2.73 million malnourished children and women which represents 80% of the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) target; partners secured 72% (US$198 million) of the funding requirements of US$276 million.
• In 2024, high edematous cases were prevalent in Oromia’s East and West Harage zones. Urgent funding mobilization is essential for causal analysis to address the root causes and prevent a repeat of the trend in 2025.
• Despite high GAM rates in Tigray indicated by SMART surveys, admissions remain low. A SQUEAC survey is needed to assess service coverage.
• The highest death rates in stabilization centers were recorded in Gambella, Benishangul Gumuz and Southwest Ethiopia regions; while the highest defaulter and non-responder rates were recorded in Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz and Gambella regions.