Humanitarian Assistance for South Sudanese Refugees and Host Communities in Ethiopia - MSF 2020

March 2020 – Ongoing drought and population displacement caused by intercommunal conflict since late 2017 have left at least 8.4 million Ethiopians in need of humanitarian assistance including emergency food rations treatment for acute malnutrition and other healthcare services and safe water and sanitation services. Additionally some 700 000 refugees from South Sudan Somalia Eritrea and Sudan are now living within Ethiopia’s borders and remain reliant on international assistance to meet their basic needs . With GAC’s support Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Canada is providing ongoing support to Gambella Hospital the only top-level medical facility with surgical capacity in the region as well as health facilities in two refugee camps serving a combined population of roughly 800 000 South Sudanese refugees and Ethiopian host communities. In 2020 MSF is focusing on sexual and reproductive health services including psychosocial and mental health support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

The expected outcome for this project is improved access to healthcare for South Sudanese refugees and host communities in Ethiopia. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.