Ethiopia’s complex challenges require more coherent, ambitious, and system-wide collaboration to bridge humanitarian funding gaps, priority strategic engagements and coordination; says appointed UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ozonnia Ojielo.
Ojielo’s statement comes following a meeting with UNHCR Ethiopia’s leadership and staff focused on operational priorities, national alignment, and the evolving displacement landscape in Ethiopia.
UNHCR currently operates in 10 field locations across major refugee-hosting regions—including Gambella, Somali Region, Benishangul-Gumuz, and the northern border areas—supporting 30 refugee sites and camps as well as a significant urban refugee population in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia continues to host around 1.1 million refugees, primarily from South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea. The team highlighted the continued shift toward community-based and refugee-led approaches, strengthened partnerships with local organizations, and deeper alignment with national priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
