Internal displacement in Ethiopia is multi-causal and complex. The interaction between high levels of prevailing specific needs in rural populations; severe droughts, sometimes followed by heavy rains and floods; ongoing conflict in multiple regions; the already long-standing, high numbers of internally displaced people; and the overstretched government capacity create a high-risk and challenging environment in which new displacements are likely to continue in spite of constant attempts at (durable) solutions.
Preliminary data from the latest round of the IOM displacement tracking between June and July 2000 indicates that nearly 1.8 million people are displaced in over 1,220 sites in Ethiopia. The majority of these IDPs (68%) are displaced due to inter-communal conflicts, 19% are due to drought and 6% are displaced due to seasonal floods. In line with the priorities of the 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan, UNHCR will expand the capacity of its evidence-based and rights-based approach to protection through protection monitoring, emergency shelter and core relief item support (CCCM) and HLP with focus on return areas. This will entail, among other things, engagement in protection monitoring and capacity development of officials and protection actors at the local level. These activities will strengthen both UNHCR and partner responses by providing accurate profiling data and improved referral pathways to benefit populations of concern. Community-based protection will also inform UNHCR’s durable solutions interventions which will build on current quick impact projects including the rehabilitation of community infrastructures and permanent shelter response in return areas.
UNHCR will support the identification of IDP protection concerns in the Somali, SNNP, Oromia, Amhara, Benishangul, Gambella, Afar and Tigray regions of Ethiopia, with a special emphasis on IDPs with critical specific needs such as persons with specific needs, women at risk or survivors of gender-based violence and unaccompanied and separated children or older persons by conducting protection monitoring through UNHCR staff and partners. Protection services will include referrals to appropriate services and advocacy for the protection needs of IDPs, establishing and strengthening community-based protection structures, and provision of legal assistance for housing, land and property (HLP) and legal identity documentation. UNHCR and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) are working towards the implementation of the Kampala Convention. This will be a priority for UNHCR and the Protection Cluster to develop the capacity of regional and zonal governments in implementing the principles of the Kampala Convention within their mandate.
The on-going conflict in Tigray is expected to generate a large number of IDPs. UNHCR is the lead in the protection sector and for the provision of emergency assistance for this IDP situation as well as site management support (CCCM), is critical to ensure a minimum standard of safety and security for IDPs in order to alleviate suffering and save the lives of those in need. UNHCR will establish and reinforce existing governance structures in IDP sites, return areas and within the host communities through SMS interventions. As part of its emergency response plan, UNHCR will strategically reinforce its emergency response capacity as well as the capacity of its partners and local authorities while sustaining its response to the COVID-19 crisis. Pre-positioning and provision of core relief items for climate and conflict affected people will be prioritized as UNHCR steps up IDP engagement in Ethiopia.