The United States announced a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Ethiopia on Tuesday, pledging nearly $154 million to address urgent needs stemming from conflict, instability, and climate change.
This latest contribution brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia to nearly $243 million for the current fiscal year, solidifying the United States’ position as the country’s single biggest donor.
The funds will be channeled through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Over $19 million from PRM will be directed towards the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian partners.
These resources aim to provide critical services for Ethiopia’s large refugee population, currently estimated at nearly 1 million – the third-largest in Africa. Since 2023 alone, Ethiopia has welcomed over 130,000 refugees fleeing conflicts in neighboring Sudan and Somalia.
The U.S. support will provide essential aid such as shelter, access to clean water and sanitation facilities, mental health services, and protection for both refugees and internally displaced Ethiopians.
“The United States remains committed to supporting refugees in Ethiopia,” the statement from the Department of State spokesperson emphasized. The statement further urged other donors to step up and assist UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations in addressing the crisis throughout the region.