Ethiopia

A meeting of one of Action Against Hunger's mother-to-mother support groups in Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp.
Lys Arango
Action Against Hunger, Ethiopia

The State of Hunger in Ethiopia

Ethiopia, with a population of 132.1 million, is Africa’s second most populous nation. Despite economic gains from 2000 to 2015, humanitarian needs remain vast. An estimated 22.2 million people are undernourished, and only 32% of estimated severe malnutrition cases are being treated. Conflict, climate shocks, economic challenges, and public health emergencies drive the country’s humanitarian crisis. A combination of conflict and climate events has led to the internal displacement of 4.4 million people.

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How We're Helping in Ethiopia

We operate in six regions, reaching over 3.5 million people with programs in health and nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), food security, livelihoods, and protection. In 2024, our achievements include screening over half a million people for malnutrition, treating over 30,000 children with severe acute malnutrition, and distributing vital cash aid. We also provided over 163,000 at-risk people with mental health care support.

Our WASH efforts include rehabilitating facilities in health institutions and improving water supply in emergency-affected communities. We also recently launched a program to enhance the food security and climate resilience of more than 100,000 pastoral and agro-pastoral households. In collaboration with international partners, our research team is trialing a breakthrough plant-based therapeutic food in Ethiopia.

Loko Diba Boru, 35, with her baby boy Gelgalo, 10 months old, in Hidhi Miribi, Ethiopia.
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People Screened For Malnutrition

The Somali region of southern Ethiopia is a difficult place to live. It is an arid landscape, vast and reddish, with few water sources or trees, marked by twisted white bushes that stand out against the earth. The region has not experienced a normal rainy season in nearly three years. This sustained drought has killed pasture and livestock, and left vulnerable families facing acute food shortages.
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Severely Malnourished Children Received Treatment

Women meet for their weekly gathering of their community savings and loans group.
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People Benefited From Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services

Shewagu with her two-year-old daughter. Shewagu with her two-year-old daughter.
Lys Arango
Action Against Hunger, Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, a man uses hydroponics to grow fodder for his livestock. In Ethiopia, a man uses hydroponics to grow fodder for his livestock.
Lys Arango
Action Against Hunger, Ethiopia
Darmi, 23, with daughters Lelo, 4, and Nadi, 1, at home in Moyale

. Darmi, 23, with daughters Lelo, 4, and Nadi, 1, at home in Moyale

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Peter Caton
Action Against Hunger, Ethiopia

Action Against Hunger leads game-changing research to identify the optimal treatment of malnourished children in partnership with UNICEF and Ethiopia's Ministry of Health.

Research & Innovation

With our support, families are trying new methods of growing food for their livestock in drought-prone areas.

In Hamusit, A Glimmer of Hope in the Fight Against Hunger

With my own eyes, I saw that from the day she was admitted, my child was getting better, and I was so happy.”

— Darmi, mother in Borena, Ethiopia

Saving Nadi’s Life: “I Saw It With My Own Eyes”

"Where There is Life, There is Hope"

Nyalat, a South Sudanese refugee in Ethiopia, breastfeeds her young son.
Action Against Hunger helps refugees like Nyalat who have experienced unimaginable trauma.

Together, we can end hunger in Ethiopia

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