Ethiopia - Factsheets

In the 3rd quarter of 2023, the cluster continued to focus on unresolved issues with the relocation of IDPs from schools in Tigray and the shelter repair needs of IDPs returning to their places of origin in Afar, Benishangul Gumz, and Tigray. The cluster also continued to monitor and respond to new and secondary displacements especially as this period saw fresh outbreaks of conflict in Amhara and Gambela, outbreaks of cholera in Somali and Oromia, and seasonal floods caused by the Kiremt rainy season.

In the 2nd quarter of 2023, educational activities resumed for 1,218 schools in 74 woredas in the Tigray region, including 100 schools where an estimated 300,000 IDPs have settled and needed to be relocated to other sites. However, there are not enough suitable sites to relocate these IDPs leading local authorities in the Tigray Region to evict IDPs from schools and to propose alternative sites. However, these sites require substantial investment from all clusters, and partners lack the resources to develop these sites.

In January and February, the Cluster revised and finalized its HRP 2023 PIN and Target to 5.4 million and 3.9 million respectively bringing the funding requirement to US$ 144.2 million. The main focuses are the Tigray conflict and drought response in Oromia and Somali regions. The Cluster also has set a target of reaching 700K drought-affected people as part of a joint government-humanitarian partners drought response plan for the first half of the year.

In Ethiopia, 2022 was characterised by conflict, UAGs activities, inter-communal clashes, drought, and flooding which caused displacements in Amhara, Afar and Tigray, Oromia, Somali, Benishangul Gumz, SNNP, Harari and Gambella regions. 1.2 million people were displaced in Tigray region due to conflict and lived in open areas, unfinished buildings, over-crowded collective centres as well as host communities with inadequate shelter and household items.

Displacements in the third quarter continued with an increase in the intensity of shocks in Ethiopia. Conflict resumed in Northern Ethiopia in late August, resulting in mass displacements in Afar, Amhara, and Tigray Regions. Although there is an urgent need to respond to these regions, most conflict-affected areas were inaccessible, and it has been difficult for partners to respond. Conflict and UAGs activities in Oromia and Benishangul regions also resulted in displacements with IDPs in need of ESNFI assistance.

The second quarter has been mainly characterized by displacements and returns due to conflict in Northern Ethiopia and both conflict and drought in the rest of Ethiopia. Kirmt season also brought flood-related displacement in some parts of the country. In Tigray, Cluster partners made use of the window of the opened Abala route to Mekelle to allow entry of stocks to support 224K individuals and fuel amounting to 16K liters. Amhara Region experienced displacements mainly in North Wello, Wag Hamra, North Shewa, and South Wello Zones.

At the start of the year 2021, the Cluster had targeted 2.8 million people However, following the influx of IDPs in March and April in the Tigray region, and the spillover of the Northern Ethiopia war to Amhara and Afar regions by the fourth quarter of the year,  the Cluster increased its target to 3.8 million people. Of the targeted population 63 % are from Tigray. As a result, in the last 12 months, Cluster partners reached 1,944,851 IDPs, returnees, and affected communities in Afar, Amhara, Benishangul Oromia, Somali, SNNP, and Tigray regions.

At the start of the year 2021, the Cluster had targeted 2.8 million people However, following the influx of IDPs in March and April in the Tigray region, and the spillover of the Northern Ethiopia war to Amhara and Afar regions by the fourth quarter of the year,  the Cluster increased its target to 3.8 million people. Of the targeted population 63 % are from Tigray. As a result, in the last 12 months, Cluster partners reached 1,944,851 IDPs, returnees, and affected communities in Afar, Amhara, Benishangul Oromia, Somali, SNNP, and Tigray regions.

Following the withdrawal of the Ethiopian Defense Force from the major towns of Tigray on June 28, 2021 and combined with the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by the Federal government, the political dynamics  have changed dramatically in Tigray Region. The interruption of essential services such as the blackout of electricity, telecommunications, and the internet throughout the Tigray region intensifies the already extreme humanitarian situation. The Shortages of cash and fuel in the Region significantly hampered partners' capacity to respond with full potential.

Following the withdrawal of the Ethiopian Defense Force from the major towns of Tigray on June 28, 2021 and combined with the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by the Federal government, the political dynamics  have changed dramatically in Tigray Region. The interruption of essential services such as the blackout of electricity, telecommunications, and the internet throughout the Tigray region intensifies the already extreme humanitarian situation. The Shortages of cash and fuel in the Region significantly hampered partners' capacity to respond with full potential.