Basic

The humanitarian crisis has worsened in drought-stricken Ethiopia, with almost three million additional people in need of humanitarian aid this year.

8.5 million people are in dire need in Ethiopia due to worsening drought and a deteriorating food security situation, up from 5.6 million in January, according to the United Nations. Despite this, the international aid appeal for the country is only one quarter funded, nine months into the year.

“Civilians living in rural areas in the south and east of the country are the worst affected,” said Gabriella Waaijman, Regional Director of the Norwegian Refugee Council. “The nation is facing its worst drought in decades. Some 8.5 million men, women and children need immediate food assistance. We are calling on donors to urgently scale up the funding needed to meet the massive needs we are witnessing.”

The periodic heating event El Niño is in its third successive year of wreaking havoc on lives and livelihoods in Ethiopia. This has left the country among the most drought-affected countries of Africa.

“You can see the situation disintegrate. The lack of rain has claimed thousands of animals. I have lost 950 out of 1,000 livestock that I had,” said Abdio Mohamed, 60, a pastoralist in the Darso Keble camp for displaced people in the Somali Region.

Low spring rains this year in the southern and eastern parts of the country have further intensified the drought conditions. In particular, the Somali region of Ethiopia in the southeast is suffering one of its most severe droughts in decades.

On top of its own drought crisis, Ethiopia is hosting over 838,000 refugees from neighbouring Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea and other countries. The government is responding to the growing emergency, and is working together with the international community to respond to the crisis.

“To prevent the number of people in need from growing, we need to increase urgent humanitarian assistance to the southern and eastern parts of Ethiopia. Lives are at risk and we desperately need international donors to step up their support. More can and must be done to save lives,” said Waaijman.

NRC is present in four regions in Ethiopia assisting people displaced by conflict and drought through food security, shelter, education, water and sanitation activities. Read more about NRC’s work in Ethiopia here.

Facts:

• 8.5 million people are in need of immediate food assistance. This number has increased from 5.6 million in January. (United Nations)

• In addition, 8 million people are currently chronically food insecure. (United Nations)

• The total humanitarian appeal to meet the most basic needs of affected people in Ethiopia in 2017 is $1.26 billion.

• To date, only 24 per cent, or $300 million, of the appeal is funded leaving a gap of $958 million (76 per cent).

Note to editors:

NRC has spokespersons available for interviews.

Media contacts:

Geno Teofilo, Media and Communications Adviser, +254 702 910 077, geno.teofilo@nrc.no

NRC’s media hotline, +47 905 62 329, info@nrc.no