Ethiopia
Ethiopia
UNHCR operations in Ethiopia focus on emergency response to the different refugee and internally displaced situations, addressing protection needs of refugees and promoting their self-reliance.
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Key statistics
6 million
people were displaced or stateless (or returning from forced displacement) within the country at the end of 2024
322,614
Ethiopians were refugees, asylum-seekers or otherwise in need of international protection worldwide at the end of 2024
$434.5 million
are needed in 2025 to ensure that operations and programmes in Ethiopia are sustained
Ethiopia is one of Africa’s largest refugee-hosting countries, sheltering over 1 million refugees and asylum seekers - mainly from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea. Most reside in 24 camps across five regional states, while more than 70,000 live in Addis Ababa as urban refugees. Women and girls make up 47% of the refugee population, and children represent nearly 60%.
The country is also grappling with significant internal displacement. Ongoing conflicts in the north and localized tensions elsewhere have forced 4.7 million people from their homes, with over 2.5 million IDPs having returned.
UNHCR’s operation in Ethiopia focuses on emergency response, protection, and promoting the self-reliance of displaced communities. In line with the Global Compact on Refugees, our work supports both refugees and internally displaced persons, fostering inclusion and resilience. With a central office in Addis Ababa and field presence in regions including Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Tigray, and Dire Dawa, we work closely with partners and the Government of Ethiopia to deliver lifesaving assistance and long-term solutions.
Strategy and results
This section provides key information related to the Global AppealLink is external and Global ReportLink is external.
Strategy
Latest multi-year strategy, outlining key priorities and a comprehensive overview of operational plans as part of the Global Appeal.
Indicators and targets
Indicators and targets enable operations to establish their benchmarks and targets for comparison with results.
Annual Results Report
Latest Annual Results Report highlighting key achievements from the year and published as part of the Global Report.
Population and financial overview
Ethiopia
Use the year selector to access information from previous years.
Populations
Population types
Population types
Note: The "Stateless" category does not include stateless people who are also in other categories, to avoid double counting. The total number of stateless, across all categories, is .
NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.
Population by country
Population by country
NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.
Population by origin
Population by origin
NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.
Financial
Budget and expenditure trend
Budget and expenditure trend
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by pillar
Budget by pillar
Budget by objective
Budget by objective
Note: The table presents the budget for this operation broken down at the objective level. Resource allocation at the objective level is subject to change during the course of the year as the operational situation evolves and priorities shift. The current budget, reflected in the bottom line of this table, is updated on a monthly basis and is replaced by the final budget at year-end.
Expenditure by Outcome Area
Expenditure by Outcome Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Source: 2023 budget as approved by the Executive Committee in October 2022.
2022 current budget as approved by the High Commissioner as of October 2022; pending presentation to the ExCom's Standing Committee.
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Source: 2023 budget as approved by the Executive Committee in October 2022.
2022 current budget as approved by the High Commissioner as of October 2022; pending presentation to the ExCom's Standing Committee.
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Source: 2024 budget and 2023 current budget are taken from the budget document approved by UNHCR's Executive Committee in October 2023.
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
yearselected
Strategy - Country
Strategy
Office contact details
For information about our operation in Ethiopia, please contact us through our Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
