United Nations in Ethiopia

The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection. These are the goals the UN is working on in Ethiopia:

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24 April 2026

Enhancing collective impact of the UN in Ethiopia

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Ethiopia held its strategic meeting to reflect critically on how the UN system operates in support of the development needs of the country. The meeting brought together UNCT members and Programme Management Team (PMT) colleagues from across the system, united by a shared objective to chart a more coherent and impactful way of working together to deliver solutions at scale in support of Ethiopia’s development priorities.In his opening intervention, the Director of the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) in Africa, Yacoub El Hillo, highlighted the wider global context marked by overlapping crises, geopolitical instability, and increasing pressure on traditional development assistance, placing Ethiopia at the center of the UN’s global reform challenge.“The world is facing multiple overlapping crises, and the United Nations was created for moments exactly like this,” El Hillo stressed. “The real question in Ethiopia is not whether we remain relevant in theory, but whether we can deliver solutions, policy advice, and transformative results in practice.”In his address, the UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia, Ozonnia Ojielo, emphasized that Ethiopia’s national priorities - rather than agency mandates or project boundaries - must determine the UN’s mode of engagement. “Ethiopia’s needs should determine how we design our interventions,” he said, “not the boundaries of existing projects or the preferences of individual agencies.” He further underscored the importance of starting with Ethiopia’s major structural challenges and building credible, scalable responses capable of crowding in additional investment.“The UN’s comparative advantage lies in integrated analysis, convening power, technical expertise, and its ability to design and test solutions that others can finance and scale,” Ozonnia added. The meeting candidly acknowledged that while collaboration has improved at the design stage, deeper and more meaningful integration is required to deliver shared and enhanced outcomes. Participants also emphasized the need to reinforce the UN’s collective value proposition by supporting systemic solutions that link sectors, align policies, strengthen institutions, and provide trusted, evidence‑based advice.According to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, achieving this shift requires moving beyond activity‑based cooperation.“We must go beyond activity‑driven coordination toward genuinely integrated initiatives,” he said, “initiatives that are capable of serving as proof of concept for larger national and institutional uptake.” Participants also highlighted the importance of better leveraging the UN’s existing assets, including its knowledge, normative mandate, data, communications capacity, and deep technical expertise across agencies to enhance the UN’s role as a catalyst for transformation in Ethiopia.The discussion held among the senior leadership for the UN in Ethiopia further underscored the importance of accountability, both for results and for changes in behavior. In this regard, the Programme Management Team (PMT) was identified as a key platform for translating strategic decisions into operational reality and ensuring that agreements reached at leadership level are reflected in day‑to‑day practice.The meeting concluded with agreement to translate its strategic direction into a joint declaration and a limited set of investment‑ready, systems‑level initiatives aligned with Ethiopia’s national trajectory and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.Photos : UNCT Retreat 2026Video: RC/HC remarks in a short clip (UNCT Retreat)Video: UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s Engagements - Photo Highlights

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17 April 2026

Positioning the UN for Impact: UN Ethiopia Head discusses strategic direction with UNESCO leadership in Ethiopia

The exchange focused on UNESCO’s diverse portfolio and broader reflections on the role, relevance, and future positioning of the UN system in Ethiopia.During the meeting, Rita Bissoonauth, Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office in Addis Ababa, highlighted UNESCO’s role as both the National Office to Ethiopia and the liaison office to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). She also underscored the breadth of UNESCO’s mandates, spanning education, science, culture, social and human sciences, as well as communication and information.Sector leads also presented UNESCO’s key programme priorities and ongoing initiatives. In education, UNESCO outlined its engagement across the full education continuum, including early childhood, skills development, technical and higher education, and education in emergencies. Current initiatives include digital education and artificial intelligence, climate education, health and wellbeing in schools, higher education reform, recognition of qualifications for refugees and migrants, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.The science sector highlighted UNESCO’s work in mobilizing scientific knowledge to address climate change, water security, ecosystem management, and innovation. Ethiopia’s six UNESCO biosphere reserves, efforts to strengthen integrated water resources governance, and initiatives to promote women in science were underscored, alongside preparations for an upcoming African regional forum on science, technology, and innovation to be hosted in Addis Ababa.In the area of culture, UNESCO described its support to Ethiopia’s rich tangible and intangible heritage, including its twelve World Heritage sites. Ongoing work on heritage protection, museum development, sustainable tourism, and the promotion of cultural and creative industries was highlighted.The Communication and Information sector presented its support to the country in the areas of media development, media and information literacy, access to information, and the ethical dimensions of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.Commending UNESCO’s work and reflecting on changes in the global development landscape, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator stressed that the UN must continue demonstrating its relevance by working in a more coherent, integrated, and scalable manner. He also urged UNESCO’s leadership to continue delivering its mandates in response to national priorities and needs, while leveraging partnerships with a broad range of supporters and stakeholders.

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02 April 2026

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Engages with UNHCR Ethiopia Team on Operational Priorities and National Alignment

The newly appointed UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ozonnia Ojielo, engaged with UNHCR Ethiopia’s leadership and staff for a high‑level strategic exchange focused on operational priorities, national alignment, and the evolving displacement landscape in Ethiopia.UNHCR’s senior leadership presented an overview of the Agency’s operational footprint, key priorities, and the challenges shaping humanitarian and protection work across the country. UNHCR currently operates in ten field locations across major refugee‑hosting regions—including Gambella, Somali Region, Benishangul‑Gumuz, and the northern border areas—supporting 30 refugee sites and camps as well as a significant urban refugee population in Addis Ababa.Ethiopia continues to host around 1.1 million refugees, primarily from South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea. The team highlighted the continued shift toward community‑based and refugee‑led approaches, strengthened partnerships with local organizations, and deeper alignment with national priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.UNHCR leadership also underscored the importance of Ethiopia’s evolving legal environment, which is expanding refugees’ access to services, documentation, and economic opportunities—an essential enabler of longer‑term inclusion. Advancing Inclusion and Government‑Led ApproachesUNHCR emphasized the central role of the government‑led refugee inclusion agenda, the increasing importance of the humanitarian–development nexus, and the need to strengthen national systems and infrastructure in refugee‑hosting areas to achieve sustainable solutions.The briefing highlighted the volatile regional context and climate‑related shocks that continue to drive diverse and large‑scale displacement into Ethiopia. Each operation area presents its own combination of access, security, and logistical constraints.UNHCR also presented the severity of current funding challenges and stressed the need for diversified and less‑restricted financing, including enhanced engagement with private‑sector partners. Efforts to increase efficiency—such as inter‑agency collaboration through shared offices, joint procurement, and common services—were also outlined.Strengthening Regional and Development PartnershipsUNHCR highlighted its growing partnerships with the African Union, UNECA, and other regional actors working on peace and security, migration governance, and socio‑economic inclusion. Joint efforts are underway to integrate refugees into national statistical and identity systems and to advance solutions to prevent statelessness.The team emphasized the importance of elevating displacement issues on continental platforms and promoting the recognition of refugees as contributors to national development—not only as recipients of humanitarian assistance. Toward System‑Wide ChangeThe UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator commended UNHCR’s extensive work and reaffirmed the central importance of its protection mandate. He emphasized the need for the UN system to adapt to a changing global financing landscape by strengthening government alignment, deepening collaboration with development partners, and moving toward integrated, scalable solutions instead of fragmented interventions.While recognizing UNHCR’s leadership in several areas, Ozonnia noted that Ethiopia’s complex challenges require even more coherent, ambitious, and system‑wide collaboration. He reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with UNHCR to strengthen coordination, financing, and strategic engagement. UN Ethiopia Head engagement with staff Engaging directly with UNHCR staff, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator emphasized their essential role in driving results and delivering meaningful impact across the UN’s humanitarian and development efforts. He expressed his commitment to continued engagement to support their well‑being and to help foster a more enabling and conducive working environment.

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25 March 2026

UN Ethiopia Head underlines coherence, strategic investment to drive impact in high-level engagements with UNDP and IOM teams

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator engaged with IOM and UNDP teams with a focus on ensuring a more coherent, strategic, and investment-oriented UN presence in the country. The discussions highlighted the need for system-wide transformation, upstream engagement, and integrated programming aligned with Ethiopia’s national development priorities.During the meeting with IOM Ethiopia’s Chief of Mission, Ms. Abibatou Wane‑Fall, and her senior team, IOM’s broad operational reach and the strategic pillars of its 2025–2029 country programme were outlined: Saving lives and protecting people on the move; driving solutions to displacement and facilitating pathways for regular migration. The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator commended IOM’s operational scale and its focus on integrated, long-term solutions, noting that many protracted humanitarian settings in Ethiopia require development-oriented interventions, not only emergency response. He encouraged IOM to strengthen its upstream work on reintegration, return, and migration governance.Ozonnia also underscored the need for coherent UN messaging, stronger coordination on durable solutions, and improved financing approaches that bridge the humanitarian-development divide.Strengthening system leadership and portfolio-based transformationThe United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator also met with Mr. Sam Doe, Resident Representative and his senior leadership team. In the meeting, UNDP presented its new Country Programme Document (CPD), shaped by extensive consultations, lessons from past programme cycles, and alignment with the Common Country Analysis and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. UNDP emphasized its shift from fragmented, project-based implementation toward portfolio-based programming, designed to maximize coherence, scale, and transformational impact.UNDP’s programming pillars include governance and peacebuilding; inclusive economic transformation; climate, resilience, and energy; and policy and macroeconomic advisory.The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator welcomed the strong alignment between UNDP’s strategic orientation and his vision for a more upstream, integrated UN development response. He emphasized that UNDP plays a central integrator role, uniquely positioned to help unify the UN system around financing strategies, structural transformation, and policy leadership. He reiterated that the UN must shift from a funding model to a financing model, where interventions act as catalysts for large-scale investment from government, IFIs, and private sector partners. He encouraged UNDP to support system-wide efforts to improve coherence, strengthen joint programming, and develop bankable projects capable of attracting substantial financing.

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24 March 2026

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator engages WHO Ethiopia on enhancing system‑level health collaboration, UN Habitat on leveraging urban planning for investment in the country

The newly appointed UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia held a high‑level meeting with the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Ethiopia to discuss strategic priorities, system‑wide challenges, and opportunities for deeper collaboration across the UN system in support of Ethiopia’s national development agenda.The WHO Ethiopia Office, with a workforce of nearly 380 staff, maintains a broad subnational presence across six regions. The office delivers a mix of development and humanitarian interventions, including health systems strengthening, disease prevention and control, emergency preparedness and response, and health promotion.Professor Francis Chisaka Kasolo, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, the African Union, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, emphasized WHO’s strong alignment with government priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. He also underlined that addressing Ethiopia’s persistent health system challenges will require coordinated system‑level support and sustainable financing solutions. The WHO team reaffirmed its leadership of the health cluster at national and regional levels, and highlighted strong collaboration with UN agencies such as UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP, and UNECA. Prof. Kasolo also noted partnerships with global health actors, including Gavi, the Gates Foundation, and the Rockefeller Foundation as essential for accelerating impact.WHO outlined ongoing policy‑level collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia and the African Union. This includes engagement on health financing reforms, pharmaceutical regulation, digital health systems, maternal health, climate and health linkages, and SDG 3 monitoring.The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator commended WHO’s technical depth and its support to the country amid global funding constraints.He also urged WHO to continue advancing priority areas for collective UN action, including sustained support to health system transformation; domestic resource mobilization and innovative financing; private sector engagement in health and infrastructure; digital transformation and data systems; anticipatory action and disaster preparedness; and integrated humanitarian‑development‑peace approaches.WHO affirmed its readiness to support the strategic shift and to work closely with the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and the wider UN system to enhance collective impact for the health and well‑being of people in Ethiopia.Leveraging urban planning for large scale investment and transformationThe UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator also met with UN Habitat team led by Mr. Ishaku Maitumbi, Head of Sub-Regional Office, East and Horn of Africa. The team presented UN Habitat's regional spatial planning work, city governance support, waste management interventions, and housing and settlement planning initiatives. During the meeting the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator underscored the critical role the agency can play in Ethiopia’s urban transformation, spatial planning, and infrastructure led development.Ozonnia also emphasized the need to convert UN Habitat’s rich datasets, spatial plans, and mapping into investment-ready proposals, stronger engagement with financial institutions, scaling durable solutions through housing and urban integration and showcasing urban investment opportunities in high level platforms.

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Press Release

24 April 2026

WFP supports Ethiopia to build resilient food systems in Somali Region with solar powered irrigation scheme

The irrigation scheme is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank, under the “Climate Proofing Food Security in Ethiopia’s Drought Prone Lowland Areas” (IFTIIN) project.Implemented by WFP in collaboration with regional institutions, local partners and communities, IFTIIN, meaning “Light” or “Hope” in Somali language, supports 17,000 pastoral and agro-pastoral families—about 85,000 people—across multiple woredas in the Somali Region. Aligned with national priorities including a strong focus on women, youth and farmers, the project increases access to water, strengthens crop and livestock production, diversifies families’ incomes and reinforces local institutions that help communities anticipate and manage climate shocks.“WFP’s vision in Ethiopia is to support the Government’s shift toward resilient, self-reliant food systems,” said Zlatan Milišić, WFP Representative and Country Director in Ethiopia. “By working closely with government institutions, we are strengthening national systems and embedding resilience approaches that are community-led and locally owned. Through IFTIIN, we are investing in irrigation, markets and livelihoods so communities can absorb climate shocks and reduce long-term reliance on humanitarian assistance. Today’s inauguration is that strategic vision in action”. Ethiopia is intensifying efforts to transform its food systems and build resilience as part of its national development agenda. These efforts are increasingly critical as recurrent droughts and floods continue to erode agricultural productivity and deepen food insecurity—particularly in lowland areas that depend on rain-fed farming.Under IFTIIN, WFP has constructed 17 irrigation schemes to expand access to water and increase crop and fodder production, 13 ponds collecting an average of 150 million litres of water per year for animal consumption and 29 dykes to regenerate vegetation and act as flood protectors. The project also improves access to agricultural inputs—such as improved seeds and basic tools—alongside training and extension support to raise yields. To turn production into income, farmers are linked to traders and markets through aggregation, post-harvest handling and market-oriented crop planning. IFTIIN further promotes income diversification and financial inclusion by supporting cash-crop production, savings and loan groups, and access to basic financial services.The Gode site serves predominantly agro-pastoral communities whose livelihoods depend on both crops and livestock. For years, limited and unreliable water access kept farming seasonal and low-yield, leaving households highly exposed to drought and other climate shocks.The new solar-powered scheme draws water from the Shebelle River, enabling reliable, year-round farming. Producers are now cultivating a diversified mix of food, fodder and cash crops. Between 2024 and 2025, the site generated ETB 17.5 million (about USD 290,000) in production value—reflecting high yields, strong market engagement and improved household incomes.“The German Government supports Ethiopia’s efforts to build climate-resilient food systems because food security is fundamental for the long-term development of the country by reducing dependency on humanitarian assistance.” said Dr. Ferdinand von Weyhe, German Deputy Ambassador to Ethiopia. IFTIIN’s results underscore the power of partnership to advance Ethiopia’s food security, resilience and climate adaptation priorities—and point to the opportunity to scale proven, climate-smart solutions across the Somali Region and beyond.“By investing in infrastructures, livelihoods, and climate adaptation measures through our partnership with WFP and the Government of Ethiopia, we are helping communities build lasting resilience and withstand climate shocks.” said Jonas Dylla, the Director of KfW Office Addis Ababa and to the African Union.# # #The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media @wfp_ethiopiaFor more information please contact:Djaounsede Madjiangar, WFP/Ethiopia, Mob +251 944 334 949Elshaday Gebeyehu, WFP/Ethiopia, Mob +251 923 279 968

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Press Release

30 March 2026

Over 25,000 Ethiopians gain access to quality healthcare and education as Italy and UNOPS inaugurate facilities in South Omo

The inauguration ceremony marks the successful completion of a key infrastructure under the "Multi-Sectoral interventions aimed at improving health conditions in Hamer" project, implemented by UNOPS Ethiopia in partnership and funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the South Ethiopia regional government.The Dimeka health center delivery room, Maternal Block, EPI Block, OPD Block, Registration/Card Block General Store/Drug Block, and Toilet are now fully rehabilitated while staff residence, maternity waiting rooms, staff duty Room, and guard House have been added to the health center. The Health Center now has access to water sources while sanitation facilities are added to it. Aeriya Qeyissa Primary School is expanded to have 13 new blocks which include, administration building, library and book store, kitchen, cafeteria, classrooms (4), early childhood classroom, toilets (3), and guard house while the laboratory and store block have been fully rehabilitated.Both facilities are expected to directly benefit over 55,000 community members in Hamer Woreda, South Omo zone. The expanded health facility offers upgraded healthcare services to address the needs of a community affected by climate change, while the Aeriya Qeyissa Primary School enhancements include improved student feeding pace, water accessibility, and hygiene services benefiting more than 800 children.The 3-year project, funded by the Government of Italy through AICS with a €7.6 million grant (out of which €3 million dedicated to South Omo, Hamer Woreda), addresses critical health and education challenges in this climate-vulnerable region. All infrastructures have been designed to be gender-sensitive and accessible for persons with disabilities and all community members, and has reliable energy through solar power, ensuring uninterrupted services and a cleaner energy future.The school project directly addressed severe challenges in the Aeriya Qeyissa area, where students previously learned in overcrowded classrooms or outdoors under trees, and communities lacked access to clean water, sanitation, and reliable energy, which hindered education and health-seeking behaviors.Speaking at the inauguration, H.E. Sem Fabrizi, Ambassador of Italy to Ethiopia, stated: "Italy is proud to work with Ethiopia authorities and communities in expanding access to essential services for the most vulnerable communities. Our partnership with UNOPS and regional authorities reflects a shared commitment to strengthening health systems, improving education, and promoting inclusive development. This partnership is designed to deliver lasting benefits and to support Ethiopia’s efforts towards a more resilient and equitable future."Commenting on the inauguration, the Head of AICS’ Addis Ababa, Michele Morana, said that these newly inaugurated facilities are “a tangible demonstration of Italy’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s development priorities. By investing in health and education in climate-vulnerable regions like South Omo, we aim to strengthen community resilience, improve quality of life, and create opportunities for future generations. Collaboration with UNOPS and local authorities ensures that these interventions are sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to the real needs of the people."Ms. Worknesh Mekonnen, UNOPS Multi-Country Director, added: "Access to quality basic services is fundamental to improving lives and building lasting development. These newly inaugurated facilities demonstrate what we can achieve together through strong partnerships. We are proud to have worked alongside the Government of Italy and the South Ethiopia regional government to deliver tangible improvements that will serve this community for years to come, reducing inequality and contributing to better health and education outcomes."The project's multi-sectoral approach integrates health, education, water, and energy to create sustainable impact. Today's inauguration in South Ethiopia follows the successful completion and inauguration of similar project in Chifra, Afar region in October 2025, where more than 36,000 beneficiaries, who have been affected by civil war in the northern Ethiopia, now have access to improved healthcare and education services, marking the full realization of Italy and UNOPS' broader initiative to strengthen health systems and support vulnerable populations across Ethiopia.[END] Notes to the editorsPress contact details: Giulia Bolognini: Head of the Press Office, Italian Embassy in Ethiopia, Email: addisabeba.pr@esteri.itMeron Aberra, Communication Officer, UNOPS, Tel: +251 911221060, Email: merons@unops.orgRoberto Capocelli, Communication Expert, AICS, Tel: +251 933565602, Email: roberto.capocelli@aics.gov.it

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Press Release

12 January 2026

UN Welcomes Japan’s US$10.5 Million Contribution to Humanitarian and Development Efforts in Ethiopia

The United Nations welcomes a generous contribution of US$10.5 million (approximately ETB 1.62 billion) from the Government of Japan to support critical humanitarian response, recovery and sustainable development in Ethiopia.The contribution will be mainly channelled through UN agencies to address urgent needs arising from climate shocks and displacement, while also strengthening resilience, livelihoods and essential services for vulnerable communities. The assistance reflects Japan’s continued commitment to peace, human security and sustainable development in Ethiopia. Through this support, the UN will advance Ethiopia’s national priorities toward sustainable, people-centered development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and Ethiopia’s Ten-Year Development Plan. “I thank the Government and people of Japan for their unwavering generosity and steadfast commitment to Ethiopia. Their support is crucial in addressing urgent humanitarian needs and helping communities build resilience in the face of persistent challenges,” said, Dr. Aboubacar Kampo, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. in Ethiopia. “Japan’s enduring commitment underscores the power of collaboration, demonstrating that innovative, people-centered solutions can create lasting change and advance Ethiopia’s path toward recovery, stability, and inclusive development,” said Dr. Kampo.The new funding package consists of two components: a Classic Package focused on humanitarian assistance, resilience and the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Nexus, and a TICAD Package that advances innovative, co-creative development solutions aligned with the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process.The Classic Package, amounting to US$5.14 million, prioritizes life-saving humanitarian response, climate change resilience and recovery efforts in line with Ethiopia’s Resilient Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF). In collaboration with ILO, UNFPA, UNICEF, the CBPF, ICRC and IFPRI, the package will support conflict-affected populations, internally displaced persons and host communities, while reconstructing and strengthening livelihoods, food security and protection for women and girls. The TICAD Package, valued at US$5.4 million, supports co-creative and innovative projects that bring together UN agencies and Japanese private-sector partners to boost Ethiopia’s development and resilience. FAO, UNDP, UNESCO-IICBA, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNIDO and WHO will implement this package, leveraging Japanese technology and expertise in areas such as digital health, agriculture, education, livelihoods and digital inclusion for refugees and host communities. The collaboration fosters mutually beneficial partnerships between Japan, Ethiopia and the United Nations.For media inquiries, contact:
Getachew Dibaba, Communications Officer, UN Ethiopia
Email: Getachew.Dibaba@un.org Phone: +251-911-12-52-01

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