The ICRC in Ethiopia

Section

©ICRC

Tahtay Adi Abo, northern Ethiopia. A boy drinks at a newly-constructed water point.

The ICRC has been working in Ethiopia since 1977, helping people still suffering the consequences of the 1998-2000 war with Eritrea and the effects of armed violence. Their suffering is often compounded by natural disaster.

The organization not only provides emergency aid but also helps preserve the livelihoods of communities affected by conflict and supports physical rehabilitation services.

The ICRC visits detainees in the Tigray and Afar regions, promotes international humanitarian law and supports the Ethiopian Red Cross Society. Restoring family links is another of the ICRC’s activities in Ethiopia, with a focus on families divided by the closed Eritrea-Ethiopia border and on Sudanese refugees separated from their families.

Starting in 2004, the ICRC gradually lost access to federal places of detention. The organization stopped visiting detainees altogether in 2007, except in the regions of Tigray and Afar, where Eritrean nationals are detained. The ICRC was asked to withdraw from the Somali Regional State in July of the same year. The organization is currently in dialogue with the Ethiopian authorities with a view to regaining access to federal detention centres and the Somali Regional State so that it can resume its humanitarian activities there.

Presence (2010): 142 staff, including 18 expatriates

Feature

3-2-2009

Ethiopia: bringing clean water closer to the people

Water shortage is a familiar problem in Gemahallo Province in northern Ethiopia. However for the residents of one district in the province, this will now be a thing of the past. The ICRC’s Zewdu Ayalew explains.

(The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Ethiopia)

Feature Includes Photo

28-11-2008

Special Fund for the Disabled: Ethiopian landmine victim wants to be a doctor

Tesfahun Hailu from Ethiopia lost his leg and part of his arm six years ago in a landmine accident. Thanks to an artificial leg provided by the ICRC Special Fund for the Disabled, Tesfahun was able to return to school. Now 19, he is determined to become a doctor.

(ICRC Activities\Assistance\Health\Physical rehabilitation)

Feature Includes Photo

12-9-2008

Ethiopia: together again

The border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia that ended in 2000 after two years of bloody confrontation has left many scars among the civilian population. Eight years later, some families with mixed nationalities are still facing a particularly difficult situation. The ICRC’s Natalie Klein-Kelly and Patrick Mégevand report.

(The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Ethiopia)

Feature Includes Photo

6-11-2005

Ethiopia: educating women for a healthier future

At the beginning of 2004, the ICRC launched a community health project to support the regions of Afar and Western Shinile. It complements other assistance programmes in the field of animal health, water and agriculture. ICRC health delegate, Regula Frei reports.

(The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Ethiopia)

Feature Includes Photo

Field newsletter

6-11-2006

ICRC in Ethiopia - Delegation Bulletin

Bulletin No 7, August 2006 - A round-up of ICRC activities in Ethiopia published by the ICRC delegation in Addis Abeba

(The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Ethiopia)

Field newsletter

Operational update

30-3-2009

Ethiopia: ICRC activities in 2008

The ICRC continued to assist vulnerable communities affected by armed conflict or violence, often compounded by recurrent natural disasters. It also focused on restoring family links, assisting people detained in Tigray and Afar regions and promoting international humanitarian law.

(The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Ethiopia)

Operational update

18-2-2008

Ethiopia: ICRC activities in 2007

In 2007 the ICRC conducted a wide range of activities in Ethiopia. However, it had to reduce its activities after it was expelled from the Somali Regional State by the regional authorities in July 2007. Generally, its priority is to protect and assist people detained, displaced or otherwise affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence, often compounded by natural disasters.

(The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Ethiopia)

Operational update