Africa's second-largest refugee host at risk of collapse
Ethiopia hosts refugees fleeing violence in Sudan, South Sudan, and drought in Somalia. Arrivals have surged as these crises intensify. Ethiopia has maintained an open-door policy despite limited resources.
In October 2025, WFP was forced to cut food rations for 780,000 refugees to just 40% of standard—providing less than 1,000 calories per day. Only 70,000 newly arrived refugees currently receive full rations.
WFP urgently needs $90 million to sustain operations for six months.
Malnutrition now exceeds 15% in refugee camps. Mortality rates among newborns and children under one year rose to 4.7% in 2025. Admissions for malnutrition have more than doubled compared to last year.
Refugees receive an average of just 12-14 liters of water per day. In some areas, as low as 5 liters—far below the emergency standard of 15 liters.
Funding for 57 primary schools serving 110,000 children has been exhausted. These schools are set to close on December 31, 2025.
Closing places 110,000 children at immediate risk of early marriage, child labor, and trafficking.