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.