ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 21, 2023 — The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern regarding the escalating public health needs in Ethiopia, as outlined in the Humanitarian Response Plan 2023. The report indicates that 17.4 million people across the country are grappling with the compounding challenges of a prolonged El Niño-induced drought, floods, and conflicts. The most severely affected regions include Somali, Afar, Oromia, Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia, and Southwest areas, leading to a surge in disease outbreaks and alarming levels of acute malnutrition.
Dr. Nonhlanhla Dlamini, WHO Representative a.i. in Ethiopia, highlighted the urgency of collaborative efforts to address the multifaceted public health crisis. She stressed the impact on disease outbreaks, malnutrition, water scarcity, and poor sanitation, noting that floods are hindering health response activities.
The dire circumstances have resulted in disrupted health and nutrition services due to the displacement of millions of people, compounded by factors such as conflict, insecurity, and movement restrictions. The situation is particularly alarming in Amhara and Tigray, where over 5 million people face drought-induced public health emergencies, escalating risks of negative coping strategies, malnutrition, and zoonotic outbreaks.
According to a report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), heavy rains, floods, and landslides have affected over 1.5 million people in Ethiopia. The Omo River flooding in the South Omo Zone has displaced nearly 94,000 people, while the Somali region has witnessed the impact on over 1.1 million people, leading to loss of lives, damage to infrastructure, and severe disruptions to livelihoods.
Dr. Nonhlanhla Dlamini emphasized WHO’s active support for regional health clusters, nutrition clusters, and the Drought Incident Management System. The organization has deployed Mobile Health Teams, prepositioned and distributed emergency medical supplies, and provided technical support. Despite ongoing efforts, there is still a funding gap of USD 56 million for health responses to multiple emergencies. WHO urgently appeals to the international community to support Ethiopia, ensuring that targeted assistance reaches those in need and alleviating the suffering of millions of people.
