UN agency appeals for urgent funding to meet Ethiopia's humanitarian needs

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that a critical funding shortfall is hampering its humanitarian response in Ethiopia as the country faces various humanitarian needs.



The UN agency said in its mid-year Ethiopia Humanitarian Situation Report, released late Monday, that its Humanitarian Action for Children 2026 Appeal requires 401.5 million U.S. dollars to address the critical humanitarian needs of children, adolescents, women, and men in Ethiopia.



"Currently, only 88.7 million dollars is available for this appeal, which represents 22 percent of the total financing required," UNICEF said.



"This significant shortfall underscores the necessity for continued support to bridge the gaps in funding," it added, calling on the international donor community to provide urgent assistance "to ensure that children and their caregivers receive the lifesaving and life-sustaining aid they desperately need in 2026 and beyond."



According to UNICEF, the East African country has continued to face "a complex humanitarian crisis" during the first half of 2026, driven by the combined effects of conflict, climate-related shocks, disease outbreaks, and economic challenges.