By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Ethiopia, June 12, 2026 - UNICEF has raised alarm over deepening humanitarian pressures in Ethiopia, warning that conflict, displacement, climate shocks, and economic strain continue to worsen vulnerabilities across the country as its 2026 humanitarian appeal remains severely underfunded.
In its latest Humanitarian Situation Report covering March and April 2026, the agency said insecurity in several regions is disrupting livelihoods and limiting humanitarian access, making it harder to reach vulnerable populations with essential aid.
“Humanitarian needs in Ethiopia remain high due to conflict, refugee inflows, climate shocks, and economic pressures,” UNICEF said, adding that “insecurity in several regions disrupts livelihoods and aid delivery.”
The agency also pointed to worsening economic conditions driven by regional geopolitical tensions, particularly fuel shortages linked to instability in the Middle East.
“Fuel shortages driven by Middle East tensions increased diesel prices by 26 percent, raising transport and milling costs, disrupting food supply chains and constrain humanitarian operations,” the report noted.
Despite the operational challenges, UNICEF said it continued to reach hundreds of thousands of people with lifesaving assistance during the reporting period.
Between March and April 2026, more than 618,000 women and children accessed primary healthcare services, while over 66,000 people gained access to safe drinking water. In addition, 27,633 out-of-school children were supported to return to formal or non-formal education.
The agency also reported treatment for 104,115 children under five suffering from severe wasting, underscoring the continued scale of Ethiopia’s nutrition crisis.
The figures are nearly consistent with previous months, highlighting what UNICEF describes as persistent structural challenges.
“The high number of severe wasting cases reflects deep food insecurity and delayed case detection across several regions,” the agency said, pointing to Oromia, Somali, and Amhara as the most affected areas.
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According to the report, insecurity and access constraints continue to disrupt nutrition services, particularly in conflict-affected zones, contributing to high default rates in treatment programs.
Currently, only $74.5 million is available for the 2026 humanitarian appeal, representing just 19% of the total funding required.
The report further highlights growing pressure from regional displacement, noting that renewed violence in South Sudan has pushed an estimated 85,000 people into Ethiopia’s Gambella region, further straining already overstretched services.
Climate projections also indicate worsening conditions ahead of the June-to-September rainy season. UNICEF warned that below-normal rainfall is likely across several regions, including Tigray, Afar, eastern Amhara, eastern Oromia, and northern Somali, increasing the risk of water shortages, reduced agricultural output, livestock stress, and heightened food insecurity.
The agency said its 2026 Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) appeal requires $401.5 million, but only $74.5 million has been secured so far, leaving a funding gap of nearly $327 million, an 81% shortfall.
“Currently, only $74.5 million is available for this appeal, which represents 19% of the total financing required,” UNICEF said, urging donors to increase support to sustain lifesaving and life-sustaining aid for vulnerable children and families.
UNICEF warned that key sectors including child protection, education, water and sanitation remain critically underfunded, with gaps exceeding 85 percent in some areas.
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