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Add to Preferred SourcesPeople in Ethiopia are facing increasingly dangerous levels of food insecurity due to severe drought. To combat the worsening humanitarian situation, the European Commission has committed new emergency assistance of €15 million bringing the total amount allocated to Ethiopia in 2017 to over €91 million.
The assistance comes as a number of refugees arriving from neighboring Eritrea, Somalia, and South Sudan, is also constantly increasing, as is the number of internally displaced people.
“Ethiopia is facing humanitarian crises on many sides – from those devastated by drought to the challenges brought by an upsurge in refugees from neighbouring countries. The EU is committed to supporting those in need in Ethiopia. Our new aid will enable humanitarian organizations to step up emergency food assistance and the treatment of malnutrition,” said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.
Due to consecutive low performing rainy seasons, Ethiopia is facing the most critical levels of food and nutrition insecurity in 10 years, especially in its southern and south-eastern pastoral areas.
The country also hosts the second largest number of refugees in Africa (over 880 000), which compounds the humanitarian situation.
Meanwhile, escalating tensions and violent incidents along the Oromia, the Somali regional border, since September have resulted in a surge of displaced people across the two regions, leaving thousands in a highly precarious and vulnerable position.
The additional €15 million will enable humanitarian organizations to step up emergency food assistance and treatment of malnutrition.
Part of the funding will help address water supply, livestock protection, shelter, and protection, with a focus on the increasing numbers of internally displaced people.
The EU also provides development aid for Ethiopia worth €745 million over 2014-2020 through the European Development Fund.
Original source: EC
Published on 8 December 2017