Ethiopia

In pastoralist communities that depend on livestock to pay for food, health services, and education, USAID/OFDA helps livestock owners establish rangeland management plans, ensuring sustainable and equitable use of grazing areas and water resources.

Save the Children/U.S.

Key Developments

Although the recent good performance of seasonal rainfall has enhanced water and pasture availability in most drought-prone areas of Ethiopia, populations in some belg-producing parts of eastern Ethiopia will likely continue to experience Crisis—Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) 3—level food insecurity through June due to delayed and poorly distributed February-to-May 2013 belg rains and resulting planting disruptions

As of February, approximately 2.48 million people in Ethiopia faced acute food insecurity, according to the Government of Ethiopia. Approximately 39 percent of acutely food-insecure populations reside in Somali Region, while 34 percent reside in Oromiya Region.

To date in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, the U.S. Government (USG) has provided nearly $150.8 million to address the needs of vulnerable populations across Ethiopia, including approximately $134.8 million in USAID's Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) emergency food assistance for drought-affected and refugee populations. In addition, USAID's Office for U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) has provided more than $7.8 million to support humanitarian activities—including agriculture and food security, health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions—in Ethiopia, while the U.S. State Department'ss Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (State/PRM) has provided nearly $8.2 million in assistance for refugees and other vulnerable populations.

HUMANITARIAN FUNDING TO ETHIOPIA IN FY 2013*

*These figures are current as of May 13, 2013

Background

Following consecutive seasons of unfavorable rainfall and harvests in 2010 and 2011, Ethiopia experienced localized precipitation shortages during the February-to-May 2012 belg rainy season in 2012, which hindered recovery for populations that experienced significant food insecurity and malnutrition in 2011. Drought is a major contributor to vulnerability in Ethiopia, as resulting crop and livestock losses have a profoundly negative impact on the lives and livelihoods of farmers and pastoralists.

Populations continue to confront several other challenges—including seasonal flooding, localized inter-communal conflict, above-average food prices, disease outbreaks, and limited access to health and WASH services—that contributed to sustained humanitarian needs and an ongoing complex emergency in Ethiopia.