4.5M internally displaced in Ethiopia as of June: UN report

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - Ethiopia is grappling with a severe internal displacement crisis, with an estimated 4.5 million people forced from their homes primarily due to conflict as of June, according to a UN report released Thursday.

The Somali, Oromia and Tigray regions are the most affected, said the report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), with many displaced for prolonged periods.

Over half of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been uprooted for more than a year, while an additional 23% have been displaced for two to four years and 11% for five years or more.

Efforts to mitigate the crisis have facilitated the return of 3.3 million IDPs to their areas of origin since January 2022. But the total number of internally displaced persons remains high due to ongoing conflicts, and climatic crises have exacerbated the situation.

The report stressed the need for sustained support and durable solutions, including facilitating returns where security conditions permit, supporting local integration and maintaining robust monitoring systems.

Ethiopia's displacement crisis remains a significant humanitarian concern, the report noted, with continued conflict driving instability and displacement across the country.