Situation Update on Northern Ethiopia Emergency (1 March 2023)

This report covers the period from 20 to 26 February 2023 and provides situation updates on the Northern Ethiopia emergency, focusing on impact of the conflict on IDPs and affected populations, protection and solutions needs and responses.

Capacity Building

• In the prevailing context and based on assessed capacity needs, the Centre of Competence and Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN) under the auspices of the Global Protection Cluster, facilitated an online training session on “Introduction to Frontline Negotiation “for Protection Cluster members. The training that took place on 17th February brought together 40 participants from Northern Ethiopia and Oromia. The training aimed at opening safe spaces to facilitate exchange of negotiation experiences among Protection Cluster members; enabling Protection Cluster members to learn from their own experiences to develop new tools and approaches in humanitarian negotiation; and building the capacity of agencies to design and manage collaborative negotiation processes.

Amhara region

North Shewa zone

• Protection and assistance need in North Shewa are a major concern for the authorities and humanitarian partners. The DRMO in Debre Behan reported 303,110 new IDPs while in Kemisse (Oromo special zone), local authorities shared a total of 164,269 individuals who have been displaced due to armed clashes and violence in the Oromo Special zone and surroundings. Reportedly, the humanitarian situation is dire as no assistance is provided so far.

• On 23rd February 2023 a multisectoral team composed of UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO, OCHA and other NGOs working in North Shewa was deployed for a rapid need assessment in Oromia special zone in Amhara region.

Waghimra zone

• There are still around 65000 IDPs living in 4 camps of Sekota. Local authorities have decided to return them to their areas of origin. So far only 1900 individuals have returned to Abergele and Sagbejii Woredas. According to the outcome of a return intention survey conducted by humanitarian partners, most of the IDPs are not willing to return to their areas of origin, putting forward the unpredictable security situation, transportation conditions, food, livelihood, and basic service which they find inadequate or totally lacking. Thus, the return is on hold as awaiting Government deployment of security forces to the areas.

• To address the shelter and humanitarian support needs of IDPs who were displaced from Oromia and Benishangul and who are living in Western Gojjam, the regional authorities have reopened Jara camp with the plan to also reopen Kulish-Meda soon. A total of 10,000 IDPs have been relocated to Jara. But the support to these populations is delaying due to reluctance of some humanitarian partners including ESNFI cluster to support the relocation they perceive to be involuntary. On the other hand, there are currently 10,000 children, women, men, elderly, and other vulnerable people who are living in Jara and who count on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. Therefore, another school of thought -shared by the Protection Cluster, believes that humanitarian partners should urgently provide the needed humanitarian assistance and help improve the living condition in the camps while providing necessary advice and guidance to the regional authorities. Other 298,000 IDPs from Benishangul and Oromia are living in Western Gojjam and need assistance, protection and support to find durable solutions. A recent assessment revealed urgent humanitarian assistance needs including support to PSN, risks of GBV, and child protection concerns.

• UNHCR as Protection Cluster lead Agency is advocating for support to the regional authorities to improve the living condition in the camps. UNHCR Implementing Partners are being deployed to Jara and will also be deployed to Kulish-Meda (North Gondar) where the government is planning to relocate IDPs from Oromia.

Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees