Over 1.1 million refugees in Ethiopia risk losing life-saving services due to funding shortages, a joint statement warns. The Ethiopian Refugees and Returnees Service, UNHCR, and World Food Programme issued the alert. Organizations seek 90 million USD for the next six months to sustain operations.
Ethiopia, hosting Africa's second-largest refugee population, faces mounting pressures from conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan, as well as drought in Somalia. Due to funding shortfalls, aid groups plan a 70% cut in emergency support for 2025. This threatens basic survival for over 1.1 million refugees.
The World Food Programme will reduce rations for 780,000 refugees by 60%, providing less than 1,000 calories daily. Food insecurity in camps exceeds 15%, with child mortality rates climbing to 4.7% in 2025.
Weyzero Teyiba Hassan, director of the Ethiopian Refugees and Returnees Service, stated: “Ethiopia is fulfilling its commitment to protect refugees, but this heavy responsibility cannot be borne by the government alone. International support is needed to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe at this critical time.”
UNHCR representative Aysatou Ndiaye added: “The current situation is unprecedented and extremely serious. The decisions we make now will either unravel Ethiopia's refugee response or become a model for renewed and sustainable solutions.”
Water access has also deteriorated, with refugees averaging 12-14 liters per day, dropping to 5 liters in some areas—below the emergency minimum of 15 liters. Additionally, 57 primary schools serving 110,000 children face closure by January 2026, exposing youth to risks of violence, labor exploitation, and human trafficking.