Attachments
Summary
This research brief discusses the main reactions and sentiments on social media in Ethiopia following USAID’s and WFP’s decision to suspend humanitarian food support after allegations of widespread diversion. Based on an analysis of social data gathered from 1 to 30 June 2023, the findings suggest the following:
• Social media users writing in Amharic, including from the Addis Ababa area, appear to be laying the blame for the aid agencies’ decision to suspend food aid at the feet of the government and prominent institutions, including the army.
• Some social media users – mostly located in Ethiopia’s Somali region – have welcomed the decision to suspend aid, believing that Ethiopia should be independent from humanitarian and foreign support.
• No social media trends reflecting overt hostility towards USAID or the WFP were noted. Moreover, no signs of misinformation and disinformation targeting international humanitarian organisations were detected in the research period.
• The assessment is limited to social media users writing in Amharic or Somali who discussed the issue of food aid suspension and referred directly to the WFP and USAID.