Humanitarian Response to Drought and Conflict in Ethiopia – CARE 2023

March 2023 - Ethiopia is facing many drivers of humanitarian need including the ongoing impact of the recent conflict between government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front forces in the north increasing conflict and insecurity in or between several other regions a devastating drought in the south and east and the presence of nearly 900 000 refugees seeking safety on its soil. As a result Ethiopia currently faces severe food insecurity acute malnutrition and significant population displacement. Altogether more than 20 million people are estimated to require some type of humanitarian assistance in 2023. With GAC’s support CARE addresses the health water sanitation and hygiene and protection needs of conflict-and drought-affected people in the East and West Hararghe zones of Oromia region. Project activities include: (1) providing a wide range of health services with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights; (2) restoring damaged water and sanitation facilities serving internally displaced persons and host communities; and (3) improving access to protection services and basic needs (via multipurpose cash grants) for vulnerable women and girls.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) improved access to health services; (2) improved access to safe water and sanitation; (3) improved access to support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence; and (4) reduced use of negative coping strategies to meet basic needs amongst conflict-affected households. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.