The northern region of Ethiopia is one of the poorest areas in the country, even before the recent conflict erupted in 2020. Severe violence, food shortages, and the destruction of community infrastructure have forced people to flee their homes and livelihoods. 

To add, Covid-19, ongoing desert locust and armyworm plagues, and erratic rainfall that has resulted in flooding and drought have only exacerbated the situation. The threat of starvation looms after four consecutive rainy seasons have failed, an unprecedented climatic event not seen in at least 40 years. It’s been reported that 16.7 million people currently face food insecurity, and it’s projected to rise to 20 million if we don’t act now. 

Hundreds of thousands of people in Ethiopia are in need of dire humanitarian assistance. Children are of the most vulnerable population. Compared to past years, the country has recorded a significantly higher number of severely malnourished children admitted to treatment. 

Islamic Relief first launched operations in Ethiopia in response to severe droughts from 2000-2002 before finally opening Islamic Relief Ethiopia in 2004. 

A few of our other interventions include:

• Food aid
• Access to clean and safe water
• Emergency response for internally displaced people and diseases including malaria
• Sustainable livelihood efforts including youth and women empowerment through microfinancing
• Orphan family support

Several of our development projects also work to strengthen the capacity of local organizations in the country. 

When you make the decision to help fundraise for the effort, you go beyond just thoughts and prayers. This increased IMPACT is priceless, because it means we’re able to meet more needs of those who are waiting for us to lend a helping hand.

And if you're reading this message, it's because you want to go beyond the call the duty. For you, it's not enough to just keep those children in your thoughts and prayer.  You want to double your impact by helping to sponsor these emergency efforts and helping deliver aid to those affected by creating a fundraising page. Get started by creating your page today!

We’re so glad you came. Just scroll to the top of the page and click "become a fundraiser" to setup your page and start promoting to your network via e-mail, social media, and your preferred messaging app. Even with a goal as small as $50, you can provide urgent food aid for families.