With more than 720 000 refugees Ethiopia has overtaken Kenya as the country in Africa with the highest number of refugees. South Sudanese now make up the largest of the refugee population, following some 225 000 arrivals since conflict started in the country December 2013. Ethiopia also has approximately 440 000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Ethiopia is currently experiencing severe droughts due to two consecutive poor rainy seasons. The March to May 2015 seasonal rains were much below normal. The June to September main rainy season, on which 95% of annual production is dependent, is currently performing poorly in most parts of the country. 4.5 million people are in need of emergency assistance.
Some 12 million people are regularly exposed to droughts, floods, landslides, epidemics and earthquakes, as Ethiopia is prone to natural disasters. While emergency interventions remain important to save lives, medium to long term support aimed at boosting the resilience, livelihoods and food security of the affected communities are also needed.
With over €192 million in humanitarian funding since 2011, the European Commission has been able to provide assistance to more than 3 million people.
Source: European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office
Country: Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan