A call for contributions to address the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia was launched on Tuesday, April 16th, in Geneva. This initiative, led by the Ethiopian government and the United Kingdom, with the support of the United Nations, aims to raise over $3 billion for the 2024 humanitarian response plan. According to the UN, more than 21 million Ethiopians will require assistance this year.
The primary urgency, as highlighted by the United Nations, lies in addressing the looming food crisis in Ethiopia. Nearly 11 million people are at risk of increased food insecurity during the lean season from July to September. Climate change, according to authorities in Addis Ababa, is a significant contributing factor. Ethiopia has endured four years of drought and is now facing the adverse effects of El Niño, leading to heavy rainfall.
Compounding the situation is Ethiopia’s status as host to approximately 930,000 refugees from Somalia, Eritrea, South Sudan, and more recently, Sudan. This is in addition to its own internally displaced persons due to conflicts in the Tigray, Oromo, and Amhara regions.
In a statement, Amnesty International recently denounced the Ethiopian authorities’ involvement in mass killings, which have been carried out with impunity amidst limited international oversight. The International Commission of Experts on Human Rights in Ethiopia concluded its mission last October, as no UN member state requested its renewal.
This call for contributions underscores the critical need for international solidarity and support to alleviate the suffering of millions in Ethiopia. It is a collective responsibility to respond effectively to humanitarian crises and ensure the protection and well-being of those most vulnerable.