Ethiopia Displacement Crisis
Thousands flee fighting in Ethiopia to seek safety.
A full-scale humanitarian crisis is unfolding as thousands of refugees flee ongoing fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
Photo: @UNHCR/Hazim Elhag
Escalating conflict has forced approximately 1.7 million people to flee. Please help provide emergency aid.
Emergency Shelter
Essential Items
Protection Services
What’s happening in Ethiopia?
Since November 2020, fierce fighting has erupted between regional and federal forces in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, displacing an estimated 1.7 million people in the region. The situation remains fluid and unpredictable. Blockades by military forces have severely impeded access in rural areas. Renewed fighting has put civilians at increased risk, with reports of military fire killing civilians, including children.
Ethiopian Food and Hunger Crisis
Months of continued conflict, displacement and limited humanitarian access have brought acute food insecurity, bringing the region to the brink of famine. The Ethiopia food crisis has dire consequences. Right now, over 350,000 people in Tigray are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. More than 90% of Tigray’s crop harvest for 2020 was lost, as the conflict started at the beginning of the harvesting season and armed groups have reportedly taken any food stocks they found on the way. Hunger looms for an additional 5.5 million people.
Civilians have endured several months of conflict with limited basic services and assistance available, leading to a significant escalation in humanitarian needs.
What is UNHCR doing to help?
UNHCR provides shelter, food, potable water and health screening for refugees from the Tigray Region through its ongoing cooperation with relevant authorities and partners. We are working at crossings in eastern Sudan to monitor and better respond to increasing asylum-seekers. Several relief efforts include distributing items including blankets, sleeping bags, plastic sheeting and hygiene products. In addition, we are continuing COVID-19 campaigns and distributing masks widely.
UNHCR is also working to reach Eritrean refugees who have been dispersed by the conflict, while undertaking Protection and Camp Coordination and Camp Management cluster leadership responsibilities.
Where are Ethiopians fleeing to?
Most Ethiopians are internally displaced within the Tigray region. More than 46,000 asylum seekers have fled into neighbouring Sudan, through the Hamdayet Border Point in Kassala or through the Lugdi Border Point in Gedaref State. Many are women and children. Every day, families are arriving at the Sudan border exhausted and traumatized, recounting stories of horrific brutality, sexual violence and kidnapping. By the time they arrive, they are in desperate need of medical and psychological services. Most refugees are forced to flee with barely any belongings and arrive exhausted from the long distances and the harsh terrain.
Where can I access the latest data and reports?
Ethiopia Operations—for latest on UNHCR’s relief work to protect displaced people inside Ethiopia.
Ethiopia Situation Portal—for latest updates on the crisis overall, including UNHCR situation reports, funding requirements and UNHCR’s support for neighbouring countries taking in refugees from Ethiopia.
Did you know that Ethiopia is home to over 182,000 Eritrean refugees across the country, equal to 22% of the total refugee population in Ethiopia?
“We were in our house when soldiers started shooting at each other. Our house started burning. We ran away and started walking to Sudan. It took three days. We slept at night in the forest. The Sudanese gave us things to eat and a place to sleep.”
Ethiopian refugee, Ngesti Gudamadhen, 28, is living with her husband, Asmelash Alemayoh, 33, their son Arbil Asmelash, 7, and their daughter Adiam Asmelash, 2, in a shelter in Um Rakuba camp, Sudan. She is a volunteer teacher in the camp.
Photo: © UNHCR/Hazim Elhag
“We were in our house when soldiers started shooting at each other. Our house started burning. We ran away and started walking to Sudan. It took three days. We slept at night in the forest. The Sudanese gave us things to eat and a place to sleep.”
Ethiopian refugee, Ngesti Gudamadhen, 28, is living with her husband, Asmelash Alemayoh, 33, their son Arbil Asmelash, 7, and their daughter Adiam Asmelash, 2, in a shelter in Um Rakuba camp, Sudan. She is a volunteer teacher in the camp.
Photo: © UNHCR/Hazim Elhag
Please help refugee families and internally displaced people in Ethiopia.
Please help refugee families and internally displaced people in Ethiopia.