Ethiopia: Drought, Food Shortages and Child Malnutrition Deepen Humanitarian Needs in Afar, Amhara and Tigray

What the report says

A humanitarian assessment seen by Addis Standard says drought, rising food prices, shortages of medicines and disrupted health services are deepening needs across Ethiopia’s Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions. The report, dated October 19 and covering October 12-19, describes a crisis layered on top of the effects of the 2020-2022 conflict in northern Ethiopia, later fighting, displacement and El Niño-related drought. It says displaced children are especially exposed to acute malnutrition.

The article says screening in September and October in Laelay Adiabo, Axum and Adwa found that about 15% of roughly 11,800 children screened in internally displaced communities had moderate acute malnutrition. It also cites severe agricultural losses in Raya Azebo in southern Tigray, where drought hurt planting and crop growth and contributed to falling livestock prices, animal deaths and depleted household savings. FEWS NET has projected Crisis-level food insecurity in parts of southern and eastern Tigray and lowland areas along the Tekeze River catchment through January 2027.

Health care is also under strain, with hospitals in Sheraro said to be struggling because of insecurity, supply shortages and delayed salaries, while facilities in Wukro, Adwa and at Adigrat University were reportedly looted or vandalized. The assessment also flags a cholera outbreak in Wag Hamra in Amhara and high mental health needs in conflict-affected parts of Afar.

The report notes some improvement in access, including an October 14 inter-agency convoy, resumed humanitarian flights to Mekelle and deliveries by the ICRC and Ethiopian Red Cross. Even so, it says road blockages, insecurity and limited administrative capacity continue to hinder aid delivery, making rapid needs assessments and stronger coordination urgent.