The Ethiopian government and United Nations agencies are issuing an urgent, joint appeal to the international community for immediate funding to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. The plea comes as the refugee response system in Ethiopia, host to one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, and reaches a breaking point owing to a funding drought.
According to a statement issued jointly by the World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Ethiopian Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) this week, critical funding shortfalls have forced drastic cuts to essential food and nutrition assistance, putting the lives and well-being of over 1.1 million refugees in Ethiopia at severe risk.
Officials warn of spiraling malnutrition, disease, and destabilization across the country’s refugee camps if the funding drought continues. The agency says it requires USD 142 million to support refugees in Ethiopia over the next six months.
The report states that malnutrition has been on a sharp rise since WFP was forced to cut rations for 780,000 refugees to just 40 percent of the standard entitlement in October. The agency now provides less than 1,000 calories a day to each refugee.
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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) echoed the warning.
“The consequences of inaction will be dire,” a UNHCR spokesperson said in the joint statement.
Beyond food assistance, shortages in funding and supplies have severely disrupted water and education services, according to the statement.
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The WFP added that refugees now receive an average of only 12–14 liters of water per person per day, with levels falling to as low as five liters in some locations.
The statement identifies schools as being among the most affected services.
“Funding for 57 primary schools serving about 110,000 children has been exhausted,” it reads, “These schools are set to close on 31 December, 2025, leaving classrooms locked and teachers without pay.”
Ethiopia hosts refugees from neighboring countries, including Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia, with the report indicating that ongoing conflict and drought in these countries are driving new arrivals into Ethiopia.
“Ethiopia has kept its doors open, but it cannot bear this responsibility alone,” the agencies stated in the joint message. “We need sustained support to prevent further deterioration and to help refugees rebuild their lives with dignity.”
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