WHO appeals for $107mln to provide humanitarian aid to refugees, communities in Somali region

Addis Ababa ‒ World Health Organization (WHO) in Ethiopia noted that it is stepping up its health response to increase access to essential health services for refugees and the host population in the Dollo Zone of Ethiopia’s Somali Region.

WHO Ethiopia’s report indicates that Dollo Zone, where the refugees from Somalia are currently hosted, is currently affected by the worst drought in over 40 years in the greater Horn of Africa following five consecutive failed rainy seasons.

The report also mentioned that since the beginning of February 2023, approximately 100 000 refugees, mostly women, children, unaccompanied minors, and people who are wounded or sick have reportedly arrived in Ethiopia from Somalia and are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

The Somali Regional Health Bureau (RHB) in collaboration with WHO, the United Nations High Commission on Refugees, and health partners is facilitating the timely health response to the refugees in the Dollo Zone, the report said.

“We will continue to advocate for deployment of more healthcare personnel and medical supplies to support the health facilities as they deal with multiple health emergencies,” says Dr Nonhlanhla Dlamini, Acting WHO Representative to Ethiopia. “There is the need for increased partner presence and robust coordination mechanisms to support the government’s response in a well-coordinated approach.”

The current influx of refugees from Somalia into the Somali region of Ethiopia puts an enormous strain on the humanitarian response, which is already stretched by concurrent challenges.

WHO’s report recalled that approximately 100 000 refugees, mostly women, children, unaccompanied minors, and people who are wounded or sick have reportedly arrived in Ethiopia from Somalia since the beginning of February 2023.

The report revealed that some US$101 million is needed for the next nine months to provide relief and humanitarian assistance to refugees and host communities.

Simultaneously, WHO also appealed for US$5.86 million to provide health assistance and ensure the continuity of basic health services for affected communities in the Dollo Zone of Ethiopia’s Somali region.