Refugee Response in Ethiopia at Breaking Point; 1.1 Million Lives at Risk as Funds Dry Up

Ethiopia, the second-largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, has seen a surge in arrivals due to conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan, as well as drought in Somalia. Yet, severe funding shortfalls have already forced aid agencies to cut emergency relief supplies by 70 percent in 2025.

“Ethiopia has honoured its commitments to protect refugees, but this heavy responsibility cannot be borne by the Government alone,” said Ms. Teyiba Hassen, Director General of RRS. “Our resources are stretched to the limit, and the pressure on host communities is becoming unbearable. At this critical time, immediate international support to share this burden and avoid humanitarian catastrophe is a must.”

“The situation we face is unprecedented and deeply alarming,” said Ms. Aissatou M. Ndiaye, UNHCR Country Representative. “We have reached a critical moment where the choice we make now will determine whether Ethiopia's refugee response collapses or becomes a model for resilience, inclusion, and long-term solutions.”

The impact of the shortfall is already devastating. In October, WFP was forced to cut food rations for 780,000 refugees to just 40 percent of the standard entitlement—providing less than 1,000 calories per day. Only 70,000 newly arrived refugees currently receive full rations.

“As food runs out, families are being pushed into survival mechanisms. We are urgently calling for US$90 million to sustain operations for the next six months,” said Zlatan Milišić, WFP Representative and Country Director. “If we do not receive new funding immediately, we may be forced to completely suspend food assistance to refugees in the coming months, leading to deepening malnutrition and hunger.”

The cuts have already triggered a sharp rise in malnutrition, which now exceeds 15 percent in refugee camps. Tragically, mortality rates among newborns and children under one year rose to 4.7 percent in 2025, and admissions for malnutrition have more than doubled compared to last year.

WFP analyses project that cutting rations from 60 percent to 40 percent will quadruple the number of refugee families consuming poor diets — from 1 in 10 households to 4 in 10. With the introduction of ration cuts to 40 percent - the likelihood of families resorting to negative coping mechanisms has gone up by two-thirds (66 percent). Families are adopting negative strategies such as skipping meals and reducing children’s portions, selling their last remaining assets or sending children to work or into early marriage.

Beyond food, the lack of resources has crippled water and education services. Refugees now receive an average of just 12–14 liters of water per day, dropping to as low as five liters in some areas—well below the emergency standard of 15 liters. Funding for 57 primary schools, which serve 110,000 children, has been exhausted. These schools are set to close on 31 December 2025, leaving classrooms locked and teachers unpaid.

Schools serve as essential protective environments, not just places for learning. Closing them places 110,000 children at immediate risk of early marriage, child labor, and trafficking, risking the future of an entire generation, the three agencies underlined.

The Government of Ethiopia, UNHCR, and WFP are appealing to the international community to match Ethiopia's long-standing commitment to host refugees with the necessary financial support.

“Ethiopia has kept its doors open, but it cannot bear this responsibility alone,” the agencies stated in a joint message. “We need sustained support to prevent further deterioration and to help refugees rebuild their lives with dignity.”

Footage and photos

• UNHCR: https://f.io/ob7iCGzT
• WFP Photos:  https://multimedia.wfp.org/Share/fje0d3w28eim7db1p42n6qhcac1lfuya
• WFP Footage: https://multimedia.wfp.org/Share/oo62d217cc70012o445h6k143b255m57

RRS, the Ethiopian Government Refugees and Returnees Service, protects refugees in a spirit of global solidarity and international refugee law, coordinating services and rights for refugees across the country. Follow on X: @RRSEthiopia

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, protects people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It works in over 130 countries, protecting millions of people with life-saving support and safeguarding fundamental human rights. Follow on X: @UNHCREthiopia

WFP, the United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change. Follow on X: @WFP_Ethiopia