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Ethiopia + 1 more

UNFPA Ethiopia Humanitarian Response Situation Report - May 2024

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Ethiopia continues to grapple with multiple humanitarian crises stemming from climate change, disease outbreaks, and conflict and violence across several regions, further exacerbated by elevated commodity and food prices leading to food insecurity and high rates of malnutrition. 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). Meanwhile, the relocation of over 800,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) is taking place across several regions in Ethiopia, including Tigray, Somali, and Oromia, with the support of humanitarian partners and the government.

Climate change-induced weather shocks, such as droughts and floods, continue to affect the most vulnerable populations across Ethiopia. According to the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC), extensive rainfall in April and early May resulted in floods in numerous districts nationwide, notably affecting Afar, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Oromia, Sidama, Somali, South Ethiopia, and Tigray regions. Preliminary reports indicate that over 590,000 individuals have been impacted, with approximately 95,000 displaced. Meanwhile, floods are occurring alongside ongoing disease outbreaks such as cholera and malaria. Among the 93 woredas reporting active cholera outbreaks across the country, the majority are concentrated in the regions of Oromia (30), Somali (24), and Afar (12). Similarly, El- Niño drought has significantly worsened the nutrition situation in Ethiopia, particularly in Afar, Amhara, Somali, and parts of the South Ethiopia Region (SER). 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.

Ongoing hostilities and security challenges across Ethiopia are intensifying humanitarian needs and hindering response efforts. In Amhara, home to to approximately 670,000 IDPs and where 4.9 million people require humanitarian assistance, conflicts continue displacing hundreds of thousands, compounded by severe humanitarian access constraints. Conflict between the Afar and Somali-Issa communities over territory and resources has escalated in the past months, displacing more than 200,000 people.

Simultaneously, Ethiopia is grappling with the influx of forcibly displaced populations from Sudan, with approximately 130,800 individuals having crossed into Ethiopia through border towns like Metema (Amhara) and Kurmuk (Benishangul Gumuz) since April 2023. Refugees in Kumer and Awlala camps, expressing dissatisfaction with services and safety concerns, have faced attacks and robberies by unknown armed groups. Humanitarian partners are providing critical support, including food, water, shelter, protection, and health services to the affected populations despite limited resources and access constraints in some areas.