Key messages
Ethiopia is currently experiencing a severe drought due to two consecutive poor rainy seasons. 10.2 million people are in need of emergency assistance. It is one of the countries most affected by the El Nino phenomenon.
With 640 000 refugees, Ethiopia has overtaken Kenya as the country in Africa with the highest number of refugees. South Sudanese now make up the largest refugee population. Some 225 000 refugees have arrived since conflict erupted in neighbouring South Sudan in December 2013. More refugees are expected as fighting back home continues and food insecurity worsens.
Nearly 560 000 people are internally displaced. Population displacements are caused mainly by floods and violent clashes over scarce resources. Over the last couple of months, the drought is also a main factor contributing to the displacement of people.
In 2015, the Commission has allocated €25.5 million in humanitarian funding to Ethiopia. On 2 December, the EU announced an El Niño humanitarian response package of €125 million, out of which €79 million to be allocated to the Greater Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia.