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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This fully reproducible R-Markdown report presents needs assessment information in support of humanitarian action in Ethiopia by the consortium led by Caritas Germany. The consortium includes the Ethiopian Catholic Church, Social and Development Commission, and Caritas Switzerland.
The specific objective of the assessment was to set an information base for project proposals through robust data about the participants’ context and opinions. The needs assessment covered 30 villages and included household surveys, interviews, and observations. Data collection took place from 18 to 26 December 2024. The resulting dataset contains 427 variables including metadata from 975 interviews involving a total of 2,401 participants (51% female). Data were collected using an online/offline digital form and the UN OCHA KoboToolbox system (forms available in English and Oromo).
All calculations have been documented in computer syntax (RMarkdown). The syntax/source code of this document is hosted in a private repository on Github and is available to authorised users. The source code enables automatic download of data from the cloud aggregator and documents in a fully reproducible way all the steps from the cleaning process to the visualisation of results. The data-collection form and results mostly focus on the needs and gaps based on ECHO’s key outcome and result indicators. The data allow for a range of complementary analyses, which are beyond the scope of this report.
According to FEWS NET, the Oromia region is experiencing a complex humanitarian situation, also in parts of the Guji zone, due to atypically dry weather, which impacts the livestock, pasture, water availability, and food security. The Oromia region has also been affected by conflict. Although the conflict has reduced in intensity, as the Ethiopian National Defence Force has shifted its forces to the Amhara region, it continues:
● Humanitarian food assistance distributions have continued in Oromia. However, the number of people reached with food assistance declined by over 40% between September and October 2024.
● This decline in assistance is happening during the harvest and post-harvest period, when the number of people in need remains unusually high, and the level of food assistance is below what is needed to prevent widespread household food consumption gaps.
Key findings of the assessment
● Food insecurity: 92% of the households are food insecure as from the Food Consumption Score, with 68% having a poor (0 - 21.4) food consumption, while 24% have a borderline (21.5 - 35) food consumption. In Guji, 85% have poor food consumption, while in West Guji a much lower 43% fall in the same category. The peak food insecurity months identified in the survey—February, March, and July—correspond with the lean season (January to March) and the early post-rainfall period in July. Households primarily satisfy their food needs through a combination of market purchases, own agricultural production, and work for food. On average, households spend 4,859 ETB (37 EUR - InforEuro January 2025) per month on food, with a higher average in West Guji (6,577 ETB) than Guji (3,671 ETB). The main drivers of food security are land size, livestock ownership, and access to credit and extension services. Many households rely on social support, labour migration, and foraging for wild foods. 81% of respondents described the food situation as ‘very bad’ (41%) or ‘bad’ (40%). For only 3% it was ‘good’ or ‘very good’.
● Displacement: 42% of the surveyed population consists of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and 8% are returnees. The IDPs’ main local government areas of origin are Loko, Harbukesa, Haro Gari, Diresekemsa, Dekelalcha, Olati, Manisa, Ajeba, Bochel, Galma Geri, Gelana, and Sebaru Woreda.
● Household demographics: 29% of households are headed by women. The average household size is 9 members, with about 1.5 children under 5 years old per household. Many unaccompanied children were reported, with an average of 28% of all children being unaccompanied.
● Disabilities: Most households have fewer than one person with a disability, though some have up to seven. Mobility issues are the most prevalent disability, accounting for 46% of the responses, followed by visual impairments (19%) and mental health conditions (16%).
● Basic needs: Food, water, health, and security were the most commonly cited problems. 72% of respondents described access to healthcare services as ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’. Only 2% rated it as good and less than 1% as very good. There is an urgent need to address malaria and diarrhoeal diseases. Typhoid fever was frequently mentioned, along with coughs, running noses, malnutrition, and obesity.
● WASH: There are financial limitations, gaps in awareness and education, and a lack of community satisfaction with the state of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.
● Coping strategies: The average Coping Strategy Index (CSI) value is 35 points, with West Guji showing higher vulnerability than Guji. Female-headed households show higher vulnerability. Most households (67%) rely on emergency coping strategies that damage long-term livelihoods, like selling a house or land, begging or selling more animals than usual.
● Cash support: Cash support was largely absent in the surveyed households over the past year, with 95% of respondents reporting not receiving any cash assistance. When cash support was provided, 30% considered it to be regular, 25% very bad, and 20% good.
● Education: 71% of the population has no formal education. Of the remaining population, 12% have not completed primary education, 9% have completed primary education, 4% middle school, 2% secondary education, and 1% vocational training or undergraduate studies.
● Protection: Domestic violence, physical attacks on camps and settlements, and sexual violence are significant threats to the safety and well-being of residents. The most frequently reported safety concerns include domestic violence (10% in Guji), physical attacks on camps and settlements (12% in West Guji), and sexual violence (9%). 82% reported experiences of gender-based violence, abuse, or harassment. 95% of the interviewed community leaders reported no knowledge of impending support from government, military, or NGOs within the next six months. The quality of protection assistance is perceived as inadequate: 31% considered protection assistance to be bad, and 17% very bad.
● Community engagement: Communities seek to be more actively involved in decision-making and development initiatives. There is dissatisfaction with the current level of support provided by national and local governments: 59% rated government involvement as very bad, and 36% as bad.
● MUAC: Mid-Upper Arm Circumference measurements for children under five were taken in Guji to assess malnutrition. Regression analysis showed that MUAC was significantly related to the food consumption score, the educational level of the respondent, the household’s oil consumption, if the household was renting their shelter, if it was part of a women’s group, its dairy consumption, and to the amount of time spent collecting water. Oedema prevalence was 5% in Sebaboru and 2% in Aga Wayo.
The report provides recommendations, including prioritising basic needs such as food, water, and healthcare, providing cash support, improving shelter and WASH facilities, strengthening economic resilience through livelihood programmes and cash assistance, enhancing protection measures, improving information and communication, and improving community engagement. This report was only possible with the dedicated work of the programme team and partners both in the design of the assessment and the collection and analysis.