More vital support for 970,000 displaced people in Ethiopia in Gedeo, West Guji

A girl looks into her shelter at an overcrowded displacement site in West Guji, Ethiopia. Photo: IOM / Olivia Headon

DILLA, Ethiopia, 27 July 2018 (IOM) – Approximately 970,000 people were internally displaced in the Gedeo and West Guji areas of Ethiopia during last four months, the majority in June. With so many people displaced in such a short time, the IOM, the UN Agency for Migration and humanitarian partners have stepped up their presence to provide urgent and vital badistance.

The IOM provides housing badistance and essential support items, facilitating access to water and sanitation services and raising awareness among displaced populations in both areas , many of whom have taken refuge in unfinished buildings or unsanitary conditions with just a tarpaulin against the elements.

to sanitation and drinking water is a concern, as is the satisfaction of health needs. Over the past three weeks, IOM has built 318 latrine positions, seven temporary communal shelters and eight collective kitchens. To improve the overall delivery of humanitarian aid, IOM monitors travel and support for site management.

Access the latest IOM reports on travel to Gedeo and West Guji.

Two aircraft delivered 200 tons of UKAID aid to Ethiopia for internally displaced people in Gedeo and West Guji. Most people fled their homes with a little more than the clothes that they wore. The UKAID airlifts contain materials and blankets that are sorely needed, as Ethiopia is in the midst of the cold rains. IOM and its partners started distributing aid yesterday and hope that it will take about 15 days to reach 50,000 displaced people.

Earlier this week, IOM made a $ 22.2 million appeal to continue its humanitarian operations in Gedeo and the West. Guji.

"We are extremely grateful to the donors, who have shown great support to the people and the Government of Ethiopia, but more funds are needed to meet the needs of the hundreds of thousands of displaced people in Gedeo and West Guji," A said Maureen Achieng, IOM Chief of Mission in Ethiopia and representative to the African Union, IGAD and ECA. "Without additional funding, lives will be at risk. The needs are immense – the response of the international community must match them. "

For more information, please contact Olivia Headon, Tel: +251902484062, Email: [email protected]