Funding Shortfall Impeding Support to Refugees in Ethiopia: UN

ADDIS ABEBA – The UN refugee agency on Wednesday said it has faced a critical funding shortfall to meet the needs of refugees in Ethiopia.

The East African nation is one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in Africa, sheltering more than 766,500 refugees and asylum seekers.

The agency, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has received funds but it is way below what it needs to support these refugees.  

The agency has so far secured 72.2 million U.S. dollars.

The amount is only 19 percent of the total 385.1 million dollars required to meet the basic need of the refugees as well as support effort to curb COVID-19 pandemic in refugee camps, the agency said in its monthly report.

Refugees in Ethiopia primarily come from Eritrea, South Sudan and Somalia, according to reports .

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Image Caption: Refugees in Nguenyyiel Gambella of Ethiopia, May 2019 [Photo File]