Several regional states face climate-induced shocks, ongoing conflicts, droughts and floods, prompting a critical discussion between the Ministry of Finance and UNICEF to provide humanitarian aid. Ahmed Shide, minister of Finance and Edward Chaiban, UNICEF’s deputy director for humanitarian action & supply operations, discussed the urgent need for a coordinated response to address the dire situation.
According to UNICEF, over 31.4 million Ethiopians require humanitarian assistance. A recent report paints a grim picture, highlighting the threats to the health, education, and safety of Ethiopia’s 48 million children due to a complex interplay of conflict, insecurity, health emergencies, and climate extremes.
The discussion underscored the need for development partners to step up their support and provide timely interventions. Balancing long-term development goals with immediate humanitarian needs is a pressing concern. Edward outlined their efforts recalling the delivery of critical supplies like therapeutic food to conflict-affected areas in the Amhara and Oromia regions.
