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Ethiopia + 4 more

WFP Ethiopia Country Brief, November 2024

Attachments

In Numbers

  • 2.49 million people assisted

  • USD 3.6 million cash-based transfers provided

  • 18,014 MT of food distributed

  • USD 345.8 million six months (Dec 2024 – May 2025) net funding requirements

Operational Updates

Relief Response

• In November, WFP through its partners assisted 778,321 (90 percent of the target) food insecure people distributing 6,673 MT and transferring USD 2.79 million in cash.

• Following the end of peak of lean season in the third quarter, WFP prioritized woredas that are classified as Household Economy Analysis (HEA) phase 4 and 5 (emergency and famine levels respectively), and IDPs in camps as well as returnees, covering 27 districts in its Area of Responsibility in Afar, Amhara, Tigray and Somali regions. WFP updated vulnerability data for IDPs in camps across 11 sites in Tigray. This was followed by biometrics registration and provision of Multi-Purpose Cash assistance in the Tigray region for the first time in November. The intervention targeted 41,000 IDP households with nearly 190,000 members. This approach was based on evidence demonstrating the lack of basic needs among IDP households in the region.

• The post distribution monitoring for quarter 3 revealed that WFP's assistance had delivered measurable improvements in household food security: Afar saw a significant improvement in acceptable Food Consumption Scores (FCS), rising from 18 percent in January to 47 percent in October 2024. Despite regional challenges, the continuous provision of assistance has played a pivotal role in reducing hunger.

Refugees Assistance

• WFP and NGO partners assisted 794,340 refugees (88 percent) in 29 camps and sites distributing 8,560 MT of in-kind food and USD 307,660 cash assistance.

• Similarly, 26 MT of specialized nutritious foods were distributed to 9,088 children under five, and pregnant and breastfeeding women for malnutrition treatment.

• The Post Distribution for quarter 3 indicated an improved food security situation for refugees. The proportion of households who reported to have consumed sufficient food improved significantly mostly in Afar, from 18 percent in January 2024 to 47 percent in October.

Livelihood Support and Climate Risk Management

• WFP has empowered local communities through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). In Gambella 36 new VSLAs were added in November, now totalling 286. The 82 VSLA groups in the Somali region have savings of ETB 7.3 million and loans of ETB 1.8 million. In Amhara, 2,007 groups have nearly ETB 20 million in savings and ETB 17.8 million in loans. Tigray formed three new VSLAs, bringing the total to 26 with 705 members. These initiatives evidently enhance the local financial activity and support community economic development.

School Meals

• Across all regions, WFP provided 156,673 school children with school meals in November 2024.

Nutrition Activities

• WFP provided 2,615 MT of specialized nutritious foods to 528,125 children under five, and pregnant and breastfeeding women under the treatment of acute malnutrition programme in nine regions. Concerns on sustained access to delivery nutrition assistance in insecure areas of Amhara and other regions remain.

• WFP reached 2,137 people through the voucher for treatment, distributing USD 20,153 through cash-based transfers. This activity is expected to expand in additional ten woredas in Oromia and the Southern regions by the end of the year.

• In partnership with the Government, and communities, WFP under its community engagement initiatives are in the process of developing an outreach program to educate beneficiaries on how to effectively use the Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM). WFP has made significant investment in enhancing and standardizing its CFM to ensure that affected communities have a voice in decision-making while addressing their food and nutritional needs in a safe and dignified manner.

Strategic Update

• WFP started the review of its early recovery and livelihood framework in the Tigray region to incorporate key components such as post-harvest management, nutrition, and water resource management, with the aim of developing a more holistic and sustainable approach to recovery.

Anticipatory Action Update

• Through Early Warning Messages 1,800 members of early warning committees were trained and the committee disseminated early warning messages and advisories to 360,234 people in the 15 targeted woredas through face to face message delivery channel. Furthermore, the information shared through Radio Ethiopia, Somali Region TV, and various Facebook pages across Somali region. However, following further weather forecasts, WFP is adjusting its early warning messages and programme interventions.

• The second round of multi-purpose cash assistance was successfully distributed to 9,578 households across three woredas: Ayun, Bokh, and Dollo Bay. Preparations for the third round are currently underway.
Multipurpose cash is one of the anticipatory action proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of predictable disasters, primarily drought and improve food security. The beneficiaries can use it for household consumption.

• The Rangeland Management and Fodder Production intervention has delivered significant achievements. A total of 4,479 individuals received training on rangeland management and irrigated fodder production, while 1,944 households were provided with essential hand tools to enhance their productivity. Rangeland rehabilitation and fodder production efforts covered 120 hectares, accompanied by the construction of 7,920 soil and water conservation structures, such as half-moons and water diversion canals. Community participation facilitated the construction of 750 meters of water diversion canals.
Additionally, 60 hectares of land were improved through embankments, dykes, and bush clearing activities. To ensure proper storage and management of feed, four fodder storage facilities were constructed.
Furthermore, 4,046 households across Dollo, Ado, Dollo Bay, Ayun, Aware, Gashamo, and Wangey woredas were registered for feed vouchers to support their livestock needs.

• Under the Rehabilitation of Water Points initiative, 19 existing water points, including birkas, ponds, boreholes, and hand-dug wells, were rehabilitated to restore functionality. To further support livestock, six cattle troughs were constructed, ensuring access to water resources in the targeted areas.