Addressing the cumulative impacts of conflict and drought in Ethiopia

Above: Maryam (left) and Zahra (right) both fled their homes because of conflict, leaving their livestock and land. Now an ongoing drought is making it difficult to find enough food. Both women and their children are accessing food rations through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership response. Photo: Clare Walker/Oxfam

Maryam, Zahra and their families are among hundreds of thousands of people in Ethiopia who have been forced to flee their homes because of conflict, drought and a lack of food. These crises have culminated in one of the most acute humanitarian disasters in decades, leaving more than 22 million people in need of urgent assistance.

“We were very frightened because of the war. We were frightened because of the fighting,” Maryam said. “We were very thirsty on the way. Our life was living by drought, by nothing, by no food.”

Fighting between the Issa and Afar communities in Aro – caused by land disputes – meant Maryam and Zahra had to leave. They walked for 20 days to Kilaalu, Afar.

“I had to come [to Kilaalu]. We were under pressure. I left the animals, and we came. We have nothing here now,” Maryam said.

“It was very long. It was very hard. I lost one son of 10 years old,” she continued. “He was killed by the conflict. He was shot.”

Zahra brought her children with her when she left Aro.

“I have four children, we came together,” she said. “The rain hasn’t fallen, we are in trouble for food, we’re in trouble for everything, we’re very worried.”

Above: Internally displaced persons in Kilaalu, Afar, stand by their temporary homes. Photo: Liban Hailu/Oxfam

With support from the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), Oxfam has been able to distribute food rations to 5,600 people in Afar for three consecutive months. This has included 10kg of wheat flour, 5kg of maize flour, 3kg of ground chickpeas and 1 litre of cooking oil.

Maryam says she still has hope for her family. “Now that we have the project help, we’re alright,” she said.

The AHP response in Ethiopia is focused on lifesaving nutrition, protection for vulnerable groups and services for survivors of gender-based violence, food security and livelihoods.