Drought Threatens Women in Ethiopia: UNFPA

387
Somali, Ethiopia
A family in the Somali region of Ethiopia build a temporary shelter after fleeing their home.

Somali, 6 June 2022 (TDI): According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), drought has posed a threat to women and girls in Ethiopia’s Somali region.

They are now facing “deadly consequences” as a result of the worst drought in forty years.

Also, in the region, more than 286,000 people have been displaced from their homes. This occurred as a result of the drought, which caused crops to fail and animals to perish. Over 1100 schools have been closed entirely or partially.

In the village of Gabi’as, a market-shift camp is housing 800 displaced families. Drought has affected this region the worst. Young girls have been particularly vulnerable to sexual and physical violence, coercion, child labor, and early marriage as a result of this.

Furthermore, 930,000 people in the Somali region alone require emergency reproductive health aid. Over 565 000 people have had their access to protection services reduced.

Women, children, and survivors of gender-based violence are all involved. Medical and reproductive care, as well as support for babies and their mothers, are among the services provided.

UNFPA Assistance

Ethiopia was making considerable progress on maternal and newborn health prior to the onset of the conflict. This progress is on the verge of going off the rails.

As a result, UNFPA is giving emergency assistance to people in the drought-stricken region who are most in need. They have provided ambulances, reproductive health medicine, and dignity packages with sanitary products. Hygiene products are among the services they provide.

Five UNFPA-supported safe spaces and one-stop centers will provide full medical treatment to survivors of violence. This will cover the whole of Somalia.

Moreover, the UNFPA’s Ethiopia Humanitarian Response Appeal for 2022 seeks roughly $24 million in funding. This is to enhance Ethiopia’s health system and restore maternity and reproductive care capacity. It will cover eight crisis-affected districts.

The United Nations Population Fund in Ethiopia is working to address humanitarian issues resulting from the drought.