Status report on UNFPA humanitarian response in Ethiopia – March 2024 – Ethiopia

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SITUATION SUMMARY

The humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia remains severe and is characterized by a combination of factors such as conflict, mass displacement, disease outbreaks and climate-related crises. As outlined in the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan, which requires $3.24 billion, approximately 15.5 million people require comprehensive assistance across all regions, including 4.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Humanitarian partners, led by the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (DRMC), have put in place flood preparedness and preparedness plans for the Belgian rainy season (March-May), including the identification of high-risk areas of floods in Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Somalia and southern regions.

Climate change-induced climate crises, such as droughts and floods, continue to affect the most vulnerable across Ethiopia. The increasing El Niño-induced drought is worsening rates of food insecurity and malnutrition, with 6.9 million people needing assistance in drought-affected areas, including 74,000 people recently displaced due to drought-related factors across the country. . Similarly, in Somalia, more than 1.2 million people are expected to face flooding due to the Belgian rainy season, with around 773,000 expected to be displaced in various areas. In the southern regions, around 145,000 people could be affected, resulting in 64,000 displacements, including the regions of Southern Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia, Southwestern Ethiopia and Sidama. The floods are also expected to affect the Oromia, Amhara, Afar and Tigray regions, with approximately half a million people affected and causing more than 169,000 new internal displacements.

Hostilities and security challenges persist in several regions of the country, contributing to current humanitarian needs and hampering response efforts. From February to April, new clashes between the Afar and Somaliissa communities over territory and resources have caused numerous victims and the displacement of more than 200,000 people from both communities. In March, the Amhara region, home to approximately 670,000 internally displaced people, witnessed the displacement of thousands of people due to active hostilities in several areas of the North Shewa and Oromia special zones, as well as in border areas with the Amhara region. Tigray. Similarly, Tigray continues to host nearly 1 million internally displaced people (42% of national caseload), mainly due to the northern Ethiopia conflict (2020-2022), while relocation and recovery efforts continue amid greater capacity and resource constraints.

April marks the first anniversary of the start of the crisis in neighboring Sudan, and Ethiopia continues to receive a massive influx of forcibly displaced populations through several border towns, mainly Metema (Amhara) and Kurmuk (Benishangul Gumuz). According to OCHA, almost 122,500 people have crossed into Ethiopia with Sudanese nationals accounting for 47 percent of arrivals, while Ethiopian returnees and third-country nationals account for 39 and 14 percent. Amid limited operational capacity and resources, partners continue to assist new arrivals with food, water, shelter, protection and health services.