On July 15, 2025, the United States officially marked the successful transition of its food assistance operations in northern Ethiopia to the Joint Emergency Operations Program (JEOP)—a significant milestone in strengthening the humanitarian response across Tigray, Amhara, and Afar.
Over the past six months, the transition has brought 1.2 million people across 52 woredas in Afar, Amhara, and Tigray under JEOP’s care. With the final phase now complete, JEOP is delivering lifesaving food assistance to a total of 3.1 million people across Ethiopia.
“There is no reduction in U.S. assistance—only a more focused and coordinated way of delivering it. This transition is more than a shift in delivery partners—it reflects our deep and ongoing commitment to stand with the people of Ethiopia,” said U.S. Embassy official Tim Stein, speaking at the handover ceremony held at Axum Hotel in Mekelle. “JEOP’s scale-up ensures continuity of lifesaving food assistance while allowing WFP to focus where the needs are growing,” he emphasized.
