Humanitarian Response to Conflict in Ethiopia – HelpAge 2022

February 2022 –The western state of Benishangul-Gumuz in Ethiopia has been beset by intercommunal conflict and rapidly deteriorating security since at least 2018. Current estimates indicate that more than 500 000 people are now displaced in the region of just over 1 million. This conflict has been marked by recurring attacks on civilians with women children and other vulnerable members of the community feeling the greatest impact. With GAC’s support HelpAge is addressing the essential humanitarian needs of vulnerable internally displaced persons refugees and host communities in Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region with a particular focus on the elderly and other people with specific needs. Project activities include: (1) providing age- and disability-specific items such as mobility aids raised beds and toilets; (2) providing supplementary food rations; and (3) offering in-home health and nutrition services to some of the most vulnerable members of an already highly vulnerable population.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved human dignity; (2) reduced rates of food insecurity and malnutrition; and (3) improved access to healthcare services for elderly and other people with specific needs amongst vulnerable internally displaced and refugee populations in Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.