Ethiopia

Introduction

The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia is complex. It is characterised by multiple overlapping crises triggered by:

• conflict
• natural hazards
• epidemic outbreaks  

The devastating effects of the 2-year conflict, which ended in November 2022, are still being felt across northern Ethiopia.  Humanitarian access in Amhara remains highly unpredictable due to ongoing conflict in the region. In Oromia, access has only been restored in some areas, but the situation remains volatile. Additionally, intercommunal conflicts erupted in Benishangul-Gumuz and in the border areas between Somali and Oromia regions, triggering a large-scale displacement of people.  

In some of the country’s regions, the increasing intensity and frequency of alternating droughts and floods further exacerbate the situation. 

Recurrent droughts and floods contribute significantly to food and nutritional insecurity, as well as loss of income opportunities. Several regions in Ethiopia are grappling with high levels of malnutrition, with some areas reaching very high or critical levels. 

Ethiopia also hosts over 1 million refugees, including those fleeing war-torn Sudan and people affected by internal conflict in border areas of South Sudan. Refugees rely almost entirely on humanitarian aid for survival. 

A cholera outbreak remains a concern in some areas, while malaria and measles constitute also significant public health threats in Ethiopia. 

Facts & figures

Through its humanitarian efforts, the EU provides vital support to those in need.

EU humanitarian funding:

What are the needs?

Different shocks:

• exacerbate hardships
• limit access to essential services
• weaken people’s coping strategies

They are also the cause of widespread and prolonged displacement across the country. 

The conflict in northern Ethiopia has led to massive and acute humanitarian needs in Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions, which have been only partially addressed, without any substantial recovery efforts. 

The situation of IDPs in Northwestern Tigray is very concerning – they are dependent on humanitarian aid and need a longer-term, sustainable solution. 

Returns to their place of origin in Western Tigray and other contested areas of Tigray need proper planning and must be based on the internationally recognised standards of safety, voluntariness and dignity. 

Ongoing armed conflicts, particularly in Amhara and Oromia, continue to endanger the lives of many, increasing humanitarian and protection needs. These conflicts hinder access to vulnerable communities, preventing the delivery of much-needed aid. 

2 conflicts (in Benishangul-Gumuz and in the border areas between Somali and Oromia regions) have picked up since the summer of 2025, displacing an additional 400,000 people. International violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) have also been reported. 

Education has been severely affected. There are over 8 million children out of school and over 6,000 closed schools. 

How are we helping?

For 2025, the EU’s humanitarian budget allocation thus far is €78.2 million. The funding is providing life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable affected by:

• conflict (internally displaced people and recently arrived refugees)
• natural hazards (such as droughts, floods and, recently, earthquakes)
• epidemic outbreaks

Through its humanitarian efforts, the EU provides vital support in various areas and includes:

• multi-purpose cash assistance
• clean water and hygiene facilities
• shelter and essential supplies
• nutritional assistance
• disease prevention and primary healthcare
• education
• protection - in particular for children caught up in humanitarian crises

EU funding is also going to a Rapid Response Mechanism that allows aid to be delivered within short delays to rapid onset humanitarian crises across the country. 

In addition, part of the EU’s funding supports the coordination of the humanitarian response in Ethiopia.

Beyond assistance with an immediate impact, the EU is also funding actions helping to build up communities’ resilience to shocks through:

• disaster preparedness
• early action in the face of multi-hazard crises