The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said it is appealing for $205 million to deliver life-saving assistance and protection to over 1.6 million internally displaced people (IDPs) in conflict hit northern Ethiopia.
The sixteen months conflict in northern Ethiopia has created a critical humanitarian crisis amid widespread reports of gender-based violence, human rights abuses, loss of shelter and access to basic services, and critical levels of food insecurity, the UN Refugee Agency said on Friday in a statement.
Out of the 205 million U.S. dollars, 117 million U.S. dollars will support the needs of Ethiopian IDPs and Eritrean refugees in the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions of Ethiopia, while 72 million U.S. dollars will help the UNHCR support Ethiopian refugees in Sudan, it was noted.
Some 16 million U.S. dollars will be used for preparedness as part of contingency measures for any potential influx into neighboring countries Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan, it was noted.
More than 2 million Ethiopians have fled in search of safety within the country, and almost 60,000 across the border into Sudan, according to the UN Refugee Agency.
Several camps and settlements hosting Eritrean refugees have been attacked or destroyed, further displacing tens of thousands within Ethiopia, it said.
“Funds raised will help us to provide essential protection and humanitarian assistance to those impacted by the violence. At least 60,000 displaced households will be assisted with shelter and emergency relief items,” the agency said.
MG/abj/APA