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Climatic shocks, conflict, insecurity and disease outbreaks coupled with chronic economic challenges continue to exacerbate humanitarian needs in Ethiopia. Persistent food insecurity in Northern Ethiopia, as well as consecutive hazards in drought and flood affected areas, are having detrimental consequences leading to health risks and increased protection concerns - with over 20 million people estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance across the country. Emerging situations such as cholera, dengue, malaria and measles outbreaks, the suspension of food aid countrywide and the ongoing influx of thousands of displaced people escaping from violence in neighboring Sudan and Somalia continue to overburden an already strained health and protection system due to multiple crises and lack of sufficient funds and resources.
Recent heavy rains in some drought-affected pocket areas have caused widespread destruction and displacement in Somali, Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’, and Afar regions. Floods are hitting the most drought affected areas of Somali Region (Liban, Dawa, Afder and Shabelle zones) with loss of lives, livelihoods and substantial damages to roads and bridges impacting the possibility to access the services for IDPs and isolating some IDPs sites. According to OCHA, more than 460,000 people have been impacted by floods in Somali Region and close to 1,540 HHs (7,000 people) across eight woredas in Oromia Region. Health risks related to complications from malnutrition and disease outbreaks have multiplied at a time when access to health services has decreased. The cholera outbreak continues to expand affecting 85 Woredas across Oromia (41), Somali (6), SNNP (29) and Sidama (9) regions.
In northern Ethiopia, although access to hard-to-reach areas has improved substantially after the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) in November 2022, the response remains below the scale of needs. Since April 2022, food aid has been suspended although other lifesaving supplies and services continue to be provided by partners across the region. In Amhara, a shortage of nutritional food supplies for management of moderate malnourishment is exposing 18,159 under-five children and 4,602 pregnant and lactating women in six zones of the region to further risks of severe malnourishment [3]. In Afar, malaria and dengue outbreaks amidst ongoing floods are creating additional humanitarian needs in the region. Flood-affected communities have received limited assistance while over 23,000 remain displaced due to the Northern Ethiopia conflict and in need of multi-sectoral support to return to their places of origin.
Meanwhile, the situation of Sudan continues to drive an influx of Sudanese, Ethiopian and third country nationals into Ethiopia. More than 48,000 people have arrived through multiple border crossing points in Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambella regions, with the majority (over 36,200) having crossed through the Metema Point in Amhara Region. Food, water, shelter, health care, NFIs as well as psychosocial support and protection remain critical needs upon arrival while financial resources fell still short to meet the high needs of the refugees/asylum seekers.