Attachments
The effects of climate change and conflicts across various regions of Ethiopia continue to pose numerous humanitarian challenges, including growing protection concerns, displacement, and the destruction of social infrastructure. According to the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan, approximately 15.5 million individuals require comprehensive assistance across regions, including 4.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Humanitarian partners are tackling the lingering effects of previous droughts, floods, and conflicts, while also preparing for a significant response to El Niño- driven drought, which could exacerbate food insecurity and double malnutrition rates. Additionally, they are monitoring potential floods during the belg season (March to May) to ensure readiness and resource mobilization. To this end, a High-level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Situation in Ethiopia (HLPE) was held on 16 April 2024 in Geneva, hosted by the Governments of Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations (OCHA). During the event, donors committed over US$600 million to address urgent humanitarian needs of Ethiopia through at least mid-2024.
Climate change-induced weather shocks, such as droughts and floods, continue to affect the most vulnerable populations across Ethiopia. The El Niño-driven drought has impacted communities across Afar, Amhara, Tigray, and parts of Oromia, Somali, and Southern regions following below-average Kiremt rains (June-August). According to OCHA,
6.9 million people have been identified to be in need of humanitarian assistance in the drought-affected woredas, including over 74,000 new displacements. Similarly, the Ethiopian Government and partners continue to monitor the flood situation during this belg season (March to May), particularly in high flood-risk areas in Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Somali, and Southern regions.
Active hostilities and security challenges across various regions of the country continue to exacerbate humanitarian needs and constrain response efforts. In Amhara, where 4.9 million people are targeted for humanitarian assistance, hostilities continue to displace hundreds of thousands of individuals while widespread access constraints continue to challenge access to those in need. Similarly, the humanitarian situation in bordering areas between Tigray and Amhara region remains complex with limited humanitarian presence and response. Additionally, the conflict between the Afar and Somali-Issa communities, especially over territory and resources, have escalated significantly, resulting in the displacement of over 200,000 people from both communities.
April marks the one-year anniversary of the conflict in the Republic of Sudan, and the mass influx of forcibly displaced populations into Ethiopia. As of 21 April 2024, nearly 122,500 people have crossed into Ethiopia through several border towns, mainly Metema (Amhara) and Kurmuk (Benishangul Gumuz). Despite significant constraints in operational capacity and resources, partners persist in providing assistance to newly arrived individuals, offering support in the form of food, water, shelter, protection, and health services.