Ethiopia’s refugee response is at a breaking point, with over 1.1 million refugees at risk of losing access to food, water, healthcare, and education as emergency funding dries up. The country continues to absorb new arrivals fleeing conflict in Sudan and South Sudan and drought in Somalia, even as humanitarian agencies report a 70 pc cut in relief supplies in 2025. Food aid has been hardest hit, with rations for 780,000 refugees cut to 40 pc of daily caloric needs, while only 70,000 new arrivals receive full rations. Water availability has fallen to 12–14 liters per person per day, and in some areas as low as five liters. Malnutrition rates in camps exceed 15 pc, admissions have doubled year-on-year, and child mortality among those under one year reached 4.7 pc. Funding has also run out for 57 primary schools serving 110,000 refugee children, all set to close by December 31. Aid agencies are appealing for 90 million dollars to sustain operations over the next six months, warning that without urgent support, food assistance could be suspended entirely, heightening risks of hunger, child labor, early marriage, and protection breakdowns.

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