Northern Ethiopia Humanitarian Update. Situation Report

The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia remains dire and highly complex. While the drought in the southern and eastern parts of the country is decimating the livelihoods of pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities, heavy rains in some northern, western and southern parts of the country are causing floods and damages to houses and infrastructure.

In addition to climate-driven emergencies, conflict continues to be the main driver of humanitarian needs, displacing people by the thousands. Newly internally displaced persons (IDPs) are seeking refuge in overcrowded and sub-standard displacement sites or are setting up temporary make-shift shelters exposed to protection and health risks. The majority are taking refuge amongst the host community, who are themselves most often vulnerable. Meanwhile, IDPs in some parts of the country are returning to their respective areas of origin to restart their destroyed livelihoods. However, the returns are happening in a context whereby basic services are still not restored and the means to resume livelihoods are not yet put in place, exposing returnees to further risks and challenges.