© UNHCR/Chris Melzer


EMERGENCY IN ETHIOPIA


UNHCR scales up relief efforts as violence and insecurity in Tigray leads to a worsening humanitarian crisis


The ripple effects of the crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region are being felt in waves within and beyond the country’s borders. Violence in the northern region, which began in November of 2020, has displaced individuals and families in Ethiopia and forced tens of thousands of children, women and men to seek refuge in neighbouring Sudan. Two of the four camps in Tigray hosting Eritrean refugees have been looted and destroyed. “Tens of thousands of Eritrean refugees were forced to flee–yet again–for their lives,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees.


Families are having to cope with severe food insecurity. With no trade in or out of the region, markets are about to collapse. Serious protection needs persist, with the conflict leading to a dramatic rise in reported gender-based violence cases. UNHCR continues to call all parties to the conflict to protect civilians in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law and is requesting safe and unhindered access to reach all those in need.


Amid a challenging, complex and volatile situation, UNHCR is in urgent need of ongoing donor support to help bring vital protection and assistance to people displaced by the conflict. The generous support of donors is aiding UNHCR in its commitment to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to forcibly displaced people within both Ethiopia and in Sudan.


In July 2021, UNHCR and its partners regained access to the Mai Aini and Adi Harush camps for Eritrean refugees in Tigray where violent clashes had prevented staff from reaching the settlements. The delivery of urgently needed aid resumed in August, but access remains limited. Refugees continue to face dire conditions. Basic services like health care remain


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unavailable. Clean drinking water is running out. Work to put a new camp in the Amhara region of norhern Ethiopia into operation is being expedited in light of the security situation, and it is hoped that the new site will house 25,000 refugees. UNHCR and its partners are also preparing for the potential influx into eastern Sudan.


UNHCR’s immediate and long-term priorities are to:


Strengthen assistance in protection, in particular child protection, gender-based violence response and anti-trafficking measures.


Provide, repair, and reinforce shelters as well as providing core relief items.


Further strengthen assistance with access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and logistics.


Scale up flood preparedness amid an increase in rain and heavy winds, after storms damaged nearly 4,000 out of 10,000 refugee family tents, as well as emergency latrines and other camp infrastructure.


To help forcibly displaced families impacted by the conflict in the Tigray region, please visit unhcr.ca/ethiopia


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