Ethiopia

08 April 2025

Between January–February 2025, an estimated 1,200 people fled to North Western zone from various zones in Tigray region because of insecurity and fear of conflict, illustrating continued population movement. These newly displaced people add to the more than 750,000 people who were internally displaced across Tigray in August 2024. The continued arrival of displaced people aggravates an already dire situation. These individuals live in poor conditions within collective sites, particularly in schools and makeshift shelters, that are often overcrowded, putting pressure on limited resources and further challenging their wellbeing. The situation raises health and protection concerns for them and strains the relationship between the host community and IDPs, as residents experience disruptions to essential services, especially education, with many displaced individuals sheltering in schools. The primary needs identified include shelter, livelihood, food and NFIs, health, and WASH services. (GSC 04/04/2025, UNHCR 28/02/2025, IOM 21/02/2025)

01 April 2025

In the 2024–2025 academic year, more than 7.2 million students across Ethiopia have been unable to attend school owing to conflict and insecurity. Amhara region is the hardest hit, with over 3,600 schools already closed and 4.5 million students out of school. This is an increase of over 500,000 students since October 2023, when approximately 3.9 million primary and secondary students were out of school in the region. Attacks have targeted educational infrastructure, while teachers and school administrators have faced threats, detention, and even killings, further disrupting education and making it unsafe for learning to continue. Fano militia have also previously ordered schools to close and demanded ransom for kidnapped teachers. (AS 31/03/2025, African Perceptions 25/03/2025, NDTV 24/01/2025)

11 February 2025

By 6 February 2025, the resurgence of cholera in Amhara region had produced over 160 cases and killed three. Of these, 125 cases and two deaths occurred in West Gondar zone, three cases and one death in Central Gondar, and 33 cases in Bahir Dar, the region’s capital. Humanitarian access restrictions from armed conflict in the region will likely hinder the response. (ECHO 06/02/2025, AS 07/02/2025)

14 January 2025

Since October 2024, seismic activity has been affecting parts of the Afar and Oromia regions, particularly the Awash and Dulecha districts. This activity intensified at the end of December, with approximately 50 earthquakes recorded between 4–10 January 2025, ranging in magnitude from 4.2–5.8. The strongest quake occurred near Dofen Mountain on 4 January. Approximately 51,000 people have been displaced in the Afar Region, and 20,000 in the Oromia Region. The majority of IDPs have sought refuge in informal sites, including schools and other facilities. Infrastructure has also suffered damage. Several schools in both regions were severely or partially damaged, affecting over 7,000 students. Widening fissures have disrupted road networks, complicating the transportation of essential supplies. Despite the humanitarian efforts, there remains a critical need for shelter, food, medicine, NFIs, and protection. Scientific assessments are in progress, as it is uncertain if the seismic activity will continue. (OCHA 10/01/2025, ECHO 10/01/2025)

29 July 2024

Until 30 July 2024, heavy rains on 21–22 July in Gezei Gofa woreda of Gofa zone, South Ethiopia region, caused three successive landslides that killed nearly 260 people, affected over 15,000, and displaced at least 600. Some of the displaced are sheltering with host communities, while others are planned to be taken to temporary shelters in relocation areas. Those still in the woreda are at high risk of experiencing further landslides and need to be evacuated to safe zones. They include at least 1,300 children under five and over 5,000 pregnant and lactating women, more than 400 of whom are in critical need of nutrition support. Heavy rains and difficult terrain challenge access to the affected areas. The affected people need shelter, food, nutrition, WASH, health services, and NFIs. (WHO 30/07/2024, OCHA 26/07/2024)

21 May 2024

The heavy rains and flooding in Ethiopia in April and early May have affected numerous regions. Up until 17 May, over 560,000 people have been impacted, with over 57,000 displaced. The affected regions include Afar, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Oromia, Sidama, Somali, South Ethiopia, South West Ethiopia People’s, Tigray regions, and Dire Dawa City Administration. Livelihoods have been disrupted, with cropland and livestock lost, worsening food insecurity for pastoralist and agropastoralist communities. Humanitarian access has been limited because of damaged road infrastructure. Houses, including tents in displacement sites, have been damaged, forcing IDPs to share tents in congested conditions and posing health and protection challenges. Current rapid response capacities in the country are very limited because of conflict and climate-related shocks such as drought. The affected populations urgently require food, shelter, NFIs, protection, and WASH services. (ECHO 16/05/2024, OCHA 21/05/2024)

15 March 2024

In 2023, one in two refugee children aged between 6–59 months in Ethiopia was undernourished. Multiple major shocks deteriorated the country's food security in 2023. If funding remains insufficient, there is an increased risk of mortality from acute malnutrition for over 86,675 refugee children under five years.
(UNHCR 14/03/2024)