Humanitarian Response to Conflict in Ethiopia – Oxfam Canada 2022

February 2022 - The conflict in northern Ethiopia is well into its second year and has given rise to one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. An estimated 9.4 million people in the three conflict-affected states currently require humanitarian assistance including up to 90% of the population of the Tigray region. Displacement disruption of livelihoods and constraints on humanitarian access have left at least 400 000 people facing famine conditions and human rights abuses including widespread sexual violence have marked the conflict since its outset. With GAC’s support Oxfam Canada addresses the critical protection and sexual and reproductive health needs of conflict-affected populations in the Amhara and Tigray regions of Ethiopia. Project activities include: (1) providing a full range of essential health services including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services; (2) offering case management and support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV); and (3) providing unconditional cash grants to help at-risk women and girls to meet basic needs. The project also includes a longer-term development component through which Oxfam addresses gender inequality by (4) strengthening SGBV and SRHR services and responses; and (5) supporting economic leadership and empowerment opportunities for women and girls.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to healthcare with a particular focus on SRHR; (2) improved support for survivors of SGBV; and (3) reduced vulnerability for vulnerable conflict-affected women and girls in Ethiopia’s Tigray and Amhara regions. The longer term outcomes for this project include: (4) improved capacity of local health facilities and SRHR service providers on SRHR and SGBV response measures; and (5) improved gender equity and women’s empowerment in the target communities. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved reduced suffering maintained human dignity and increased protection and resilience of women and girls men and boys particularly SGBV survivors in IDP/returnee and host communities in crisis affected areas in Raya Azebo Woreda (Tigray Region) and Raya Kobo Woreda (Amhara Region) in Ethiopia.