Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), in collaboration with UNHCR and WFP, convened a high-level discussion with key refugee donor groups to address the recent decline in financial support and its growing impact on Ethiopia’s refugee response.
The discussion took place at a critical time, as shrinking resources are increasingly undermining the country’s efforts to deliver essential services to refugees and host communities.
The reduction in funding is visibly affecting basic services, including health, nutrition, water, protection and education— across refugee camps and settlements.
Resource constraints are also straining efforts to include refugees into national systems, one of Ethiopia’s flagship commitments.
The funding cuts are also eroding support for the most vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities and individuals with specific protection needs.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the donors focused on identifying strategies to secure sustainable and predictable financing, underscoring the importance of diversifying funding sources, enhancing donor engagement and strengthening resource mobilization approaches to ensure the continuity of life-saving assistance.
Bridging the widening funding gap remains essential to safeguard dignified protection and assistance for over 1.1 million refugees hosted in the country.
Ensuring sustainable support will enable Ethiopia to uphold its commitments to refugee protection and solutions.
