Humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia

The United Nations has allocated $8.5 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to provide life-saving aid in northern Ethiopia. This funding, announced by Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, is intended to support more than 202,700 people across the Tigray, Amhara, Afar, and Benishangul-Gumuz regions.

The resources target populations facing displacement, communities with broken basic services, and areas with limited humanitarian presence. Priority sectors include water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter, health, nutrition, and protection services. This allocation brings the total CERF support to Ethiopia in 2026 to over $22.5 million.

Humanitarian efforts in the region continue to face challenges from insecurity, fuel shortages, and funding gaps. The crisis has been exacerbated by recent clashes between federal and Tigrayan forces, which have contributed to displacement and disease. UNICEF estimates that nearly 8.9 million people in Ethiopia, including 6.3 million children, will require assistance in 2026.