Skip to main content

Country analysis

Ethiopia


More than 28 million people in Ethiopia need humanitarian assistance because of internal conflict, displacement, and recurrent natural hazards, primarily floods and drought. As at September 2022, an estimated 2.7 million people are displaced internally because of conflict (main driver of displacement) and drought. An additional 1.8 million people are IDP returnees. The country also hosts more than 890,000 refugees.

Several consecutive years of drought and a record fifth consecutive below-average rainfall in southern and southeastern Ethiopia have disrupted the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of farmers and herders, resulted in the death of livestock, and led to a worsening food security situation.

The signing of a peace deal on 2 November 2022, brought a ceasefire and slow restoration of services and humanitarian access across northern Ethiopia, particularly Tigray. The two-year long conflict in northern Ethiopia made security in the area highly volatile, and resulted in damage on infrastructure, death, and mass displacement.

Conflict in other regions, such as Benishangul Gumuz and Oromia, continues to affect people’s freedom of movement and livelihood activities. The situation has resulted in displacement and subsequent humanitarian needs. The needs of IDPs have largely remained unmet because of the volatile security situation and major humanitarian access constraints.

(OCHA 30/11/2022, UNDRR 01/11/2022, UNHCR 14/10/2022, US Department of State 12/10/2022, EU ETFFA 01/2023), IOM 27/12/2022)

More than 28 million people in Ethiopia need humanitarian assistance because of internal conflict, displacement, and recurrent natural hazards, primarily floods and drought. As at September 2022, an estimated 2.7 million people are displaced internally because of conflict (main driver of displacement) and drought. An additional 1.8 million people are IDP returnees. The country also hosts more than 890,000 refugees.

Several consecutive years of drought and a record fifth consecutive below-average rainfall in southern and southeastern Ethiopia have disrupted the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of farmers and herders, resulted in the death of livestock, and led to a worsening food security situation.

The signing of a peace deal on 2 November 2022, brought a ceasefire and slow restoration of services and humanitarian access across northern Ethiopia, particularly Tigray. The two-year long conflict in northern Ethiopia made security in the area highly volatile, and resulted in damage on infrastructure, death, and mass displacement.

Conflict in other regions, such as Benishangul Gumuz and Oromia, continues to affect people’s freedom of movement and livelihood activities. The situation has resulted in displacement and subsequent humanitarian needs. The needs of IDPs have largely remained unmet because of the volatile security situation and major humanitarian access constraints.

(OCHA 30/11/2022, UNDRR 01/11/2022, UNHCR 14/10/2022, US Department of State 12/10/2022, EU ETFFA 01/2023), IOM 27/12/2022)

Latest updates on country situation

26 September 2023

As at 16 September 2023, more than 81,000 forcibly displaced people from Sudan had arrived in Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambela regions of Ethiopia. The majority were Ethiopian returnees requiring onward transportation. More than 20,000 Sudanese refugees require food, WASH, health, and protection services. Heavy rains are constraining access. (IOM 21/09/2023, UNHCR 15/09/2023)

29 August 2023

As at 29 August 2023, clashes that started in July between regional special forces, including militia allies called Fano, and the Ethiopian National Defense Force had killed at least 183 people in Amhara. Humanitarian access constraints worsen the situation. These constraints include blocked internet access, the on-and-off suspension of flights to conflict-affected areas, and the state of emergency. The exact humanitarian needs are unclear but likely involve protection services, shelter, food, health, and WASH services.
(OHCHR 29/08/2023, AI 18/08/2023, OCHA 22/08/2023)

07 August 2023

On 4 August 2023, the Ethiopian Federal Government declared a six-month state of emergency following intense clashes since 3 August between regional special forces, militia allies called Fano, and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces in Amhara region. The clashes follow a series of protests since 6 April, when the Federal Government announced the need to disband regional forces. Those affected are moving to safer areas in the region, although the conflict and state of emergency declaration have been constraining movements. Roadblocks and communication constraints resulting from internet suspension have also led to humanitarian access constraints. Cholera cases have been increasing in the region, and the constraints might further limit health services for both residents and those displaced from the conflict in Sudan since Amhara remains one of the border crossing points. The humanitarian needs remain unclear but are likely related to shelter, food, protection, health, and WASH services. (ECHO 08/08/2023, Africanews 07/08/2023, OCHA 04/08/2023)

26 July 2023

As at 23 July 2023, Ethiopia had received over 69,900 people through various border crossings from Sudan, including an estimated 33,800 Ethiopian returnees, 21,400 Sudanese, and 14,600 people from other nationalities. Aid workers' activities have been hindered by heavy rains. Onward transportation remains a crucial need, along with food, NFIs, WASH, protection, and health services.
(IOM 26/07/2023, OCHA 02/06/2023)

05 July 2023

As at 4 July 2023, the conflict that started in Sudan in mid-April 2023 has displaced more than 60,000 people to Ethiopia through multiple border crossing points in Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambella regions. They include more than 30,600 Ethiopian returnees, over 15,500 Sudanese, and an estimated 13,800 people from 70 different nationalities. Displaced people are living in makeshift shelters near border points as they await transportation to further locations. Their main needs include food, shelter, WASH, protection, medical supplies, onward transportation, and NFIs.

(IOM 05/07/2023, UN News 13/06/2023)

28 June 2023

The Tigray Disaster Risk Management Commission has recorded more than 720 deaths in three zones of Tigray resulting from health complications linked with food shortages. These deaths have not been independently verified. The majority are children, the elderly, and people with underlying conditions. This comes following accusations of aid diversion led USAID and WFP to suspend food assistance in June 2023, initially in Tigray before extending it countrywide. Tigray suffered conflict from 2020 until the signing of a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in November 2022. The region is one of the most affected by food insecurity, with 5.4 million out of its 6 million population reliant on food assistance. According to the UN, the number of children admitted to hospitals in Tigray for malnutrition rose by 196% between April 2022 and April 2023. (AP 27/06/2023, WFP 09/06/2023)

13 June 2023

Conflict in Sudan since mid-April 2023 has displaced over 45,600 people to Ethiopia as at 12 June. They include more than 25,800 Ethiopian returnees, over 8,000 Sudanese, and an estimated 11,700 people from 69 different nationalities. Displaced people are living in makeshift shelters near the border points as they await transportation to further locations. Their main needs are food, shelter, WASH, protection, medical supplies, transportation onwards, and NFIs. (IOM 13/06/2023, UN News 13/06/2023)

current crises
in Ethiopia


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

ETH005 - Drought

Last updated 30/09/2023


Drivers

Drought

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.6 High

Access constraints

3.0

REG014 - Eastern Africa Regional Drought Crisis

Last updated 30/09/2023


Drivers

Drought

Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

4.2 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

ETH004 - Northern Ethiopia Conflict

Last updated 30/09/2023


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.9 High

Access constraints

3.0

ETH001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 30/09/2023


Drivers

Displacement
Floods
Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4 High

Access constraints

4.0

ETH003 - International Displacement

Last updated 30/09/2023


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.2 High

Access constraints

3.0

Analysis products
on Ethiopia

Ethiopia: the humanitarian information and analysis ecosystem

29 September 2023

Ethiopia: the humanitarian information and analysis ecosystem

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

This information and analysis ecosystem report looks at the information landscape in Ethiopia, assesses the quality, reliability, and sharing of available humanitarian data; and identifies opportunities to strengthen the information and analysis ecosystem. The report provides a starting point to understanding the information and analysis ecosystem more generally, though topics such as gender and anticipatory analysis warrant additional research.

Ethiopia: Humanitarian situation in Guba woreda, Benishangul Gumuz

30 June 2023

Ethiopia: Humanitarian situation in Guba woreda, Benishangul Gumuz

DOCUMENT / PDF / 377 KB

This report analyses the humanitarian situation in Guba woreda, Metekel zone, Benishangul Gumuz region, to support decision-making in the response to the crisis.

Conflict and violence
Sudan crisis: consequences for Ethiopia

19 May 2023

Sudan crisis: consequences for Ethiopia

DOCUMENT / PDF / 770 KB

Since 15 April 2023, intense fighting has been occurring in the capital Khartoum and other parts of the Sudan. The heavy fighting has resulted in forced displacement into neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia, and will have broader implications for conflict in the region. 

Conflict and violenceMixed migration

Attached resources

Horn of Africa: Impact of drought on children

24 April 2023

Horn of Africa: Impact of drought on children

DOCUMENT / PDF / 5 MB

Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia are currently experiencing one of the worst droughts in 60 years. The current drought is driving significant levels not only of food insecurity but also of WASH, health, and nutrition needs for the affected population.

Natural hazards
Ethiopia: Key drought developments to watch

18 April 2023

Ethiopia: Key drought developments to watch

DOCUMENT / PDF / 3 MB

This report provides an overview of current drought conditions in Ethiopia’s most affected regions, as well as an outlook on expected deteriorations for the remainder of 2023. It aims at presenting the factors that are likely to worsen the drought and its impact and at anticipating humanitarian impacts to support humanitarian planning and programming.

Natural hazards
View more