Ethiopia shaken: Frequent earthquakes in 2024 fuel fear, exodus
Dozens of minor tremors, ranging from 4.2 to 5.8 magnitude, have shaken cenEthiopia over the past 2 months, averaging 2 quakes per day, with some felt as far away as the capital, Addis Ababa- 'We no longer feel safe here. It feels like more is coming, and we urgently need accelerated relocation efforts,' Ali Usman, a resident of a quake-affected area, tells Anadolu- 'Awareness campaigns, disaster preparedness, and strict quality control in construction are essential measures to address these risks,' says ge
By Sadik Kedir Abdu
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) — Ethiopia is increasingly on edge as frequent earthquakes continue to rattle the nation’s northeastern and central regions, displacing thousands and raising fears of a potential major disaster.
The recent tremors, the most powerful measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, have stirred memories of Ethiopia’s strongest 6.5 magnitude earthquake in 1906.
In 2024 alone, the country has experienced about 90 earthquakes exceeding magnitude 4, a strength that people can usually feel but does not cause major damage to buildings. Most of the tremors affected the central Awash Fentale area, according to Earthquakelist, a website tracking seismic activity.
Ali Usman, a resident of the quake-affected Kesem area in the Afar region, shared his concerns with Anadolu .
“We no longer feel safe here. It feels like more is coming, and we urgently need accelerated relocation efforts,” Usman said.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that over 2,250 households have been displaced due to the quakes and that two people have sustained serious injuries. The full scale of the impact remains uncertain due to the inaccessibility of some of the affected areas.
- Relocation and ongoing efforts to prepare
Local authorities have initiated the phased relocation of around 80,000 residents to safer areas, with special task forces and humanitarian organizations deployed to assist.
“Earthquakes are unpredictable in timing and intensity, so preparedness is crucial to minimizing catastrophic consequences,” said geologist Tagel Wubetu.
Wubetu explains that the region is part of the Great East African Rift Valley, where tectonic activity persists due to movements in the Earth’s upper mantle. He warned that such seismic activity could also lead to volcanic eruptions.
“Awareness campaigns, disaster preparedness, and strict quality control in construction are essential measures to address these risks,” he added.
Earlier this month, Mount Dofan in central Ethiopia erupted. The volcano is located about 140 kilometers (87 miles) from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital with a population of over 5 million, in a region already experiencing frequent tremors.
- Fear in the capital
In Addis Ababa, the tremors have caused widespread panic among residents.
“You suddenly wake up to everything around you shaking — it’s terrifying,” says Muhammed Yunus, recalling the 5.8 magnitude earthquake felt across the city on Jan. 4.
Wubetu warned that the tremors could pose significant risks to the capital's high-rise buildings.
“Given Ethiopia’s construction standards, many buildings may not withstand such seismic activity. This raises concerns about safety in urban areas,” he said.
“I woke up and felt as if my bed was moving sideways and my daughter fell off the bed, crying. It was my first time experiencing an earthquake, and I couldn’t sleep the whole night,” says Mulualem Tesfaye, who also lives in Addis Ababa.
Prayers have risen from mosques and churches as the Ethiopian Orthodox Synod and the Ethiopian Muslims Supreme Council (Mejlis) have issued calls for solidarity and support for affected communities.
“Our hearts and prayers are with those affected. We will mobilize resources to support the community,” said Sheikh Hussein Hassan, who visited the site on behalf of the Mejlis.
Orthodox Patriarch Abune Mathias also called on Ethiopians to help, saying, “May Almighty God be with you; we are with you in prayers.”
- Lessons from abroad
Seismic disturbances, whether they be earthquakes or volcanic activity, have always been frightening prospects for countries in risk-prone areas around the world.
Ethiopia lies within the geologically active Great East African Rift Valley, where tectonic plates are diverging, causing the Earth's crust to stretch and thin.
Another country situated on the intersection of multiple tectonic plates is Türkiye, which has extensive experience with devastating earthquakes. The twin quakes of Feb. 6, 2023, serve as a major example, offering valuable lessons in disaster preparedness and response for Ethiopia.
Türkiye experienced devastating earthquakes on Feb. 6, 2023, with powerful 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude quakes hitting 11 provinces, including Malatya, Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Hatay, Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa. More than 50,000 people were killed and over 107,200 injured, according to official figures.
This tragic lesson could hold diverse benefits for Ethiopia as well, according to Omer Kars, disaster management lead from Türkiye’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), who emphasized the importance of rapid response and recovery facilitated by trained personnel.
“Disaster preparedness training, humanitarian aid, and psychosocial support are areas where Turkish organizations can contribute,” he said, highlighting the exceptional coordination during Türkiye’s 2023 earthquakes.
Likewise, Ibrahim Tigili, a Turkish journalist familiar with Ethiopia's context, told Anadolu that Türkiye could share its expertise in coordinated disaster response with the Horn of Africa nation.
“Türkiye, as a country exposed to earthquakes, has developed effective systems for preparedness, emergency response, and recovery. These lessons could benefit Ethiopia immensely.”
Kaynak:
This news has been read 91 times in total
Türkçe karakter kullanılmayan ve büyük harflerle yazılmış yorumlar onaylanmamaktadır.