Ethiopia – Humanitarian Response for South Sudanese Refugees – Oxfam Canada - 2015

March 2015 - Ethiopia faces a wide variety of humanitarian challenges including the effects of chronic drought in many areas of the country widespread food insecurity an ongoing low to medium intensity conflict in its south-eastern Somali region and the impact of hosting a growing population of Eritrean Somali South Sudanese and Sudanese refugees on its soil. In 2015 at least 3.2 million Ethiopians and over 650 000 refugees will require humanitarian assistance including food nutritional and medical support water and sanitation and protection. With DFATD’s support Oxfam Canada is helping to meet the basic humanitarian needs of up to 97 000 Ethiopians affected by recurrent drought and the impact on scarce local resources (cooking fuel water) of an estimated 175 000 Somali refugees living in the camps around Dolo Ado in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State. Project activities include: (1) cash-for-work and other income generating activities to support vulnerable food-insecure households; (2) provision of agricultural inputs (small livestock) and associated support (such as vouchers for fodder or veterinary services) to increase assets of vulnerable households; (3) establishment of water supply schemes (dams and wells) in two targeted communities; and (4) implementation of community awareness campaigns regarding good sanitation and hygiene practices.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved food security; and (2) improved access to safe water and sanitation for vulnerable households in the Somali region of Ethiopia. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.