UN and partners support Ethiopia’s response and mitigation efforts after deadly landslides in the South

The United Nations and humanitarian partners are supporting the Government of Ethiopia’s life-saving response efforts following a series of devastating landslides in South Ethiopia Region. 

The most recent landslide incident was reported on 24 April 2026 in one district of Wolaita Zone, South Ethiopia Region killing four individuals from one family, and forcing many people to flee.  This latest incident follows a deadly landslide in March 2026 in neighboring Gamo Zone that killed 127 people and forced over 18,000 people from their homes. The IDPs sheltered in local schools, government buildings, with host communities, and in two IDP sites. 

Amongst the affected people is Denkele, a 28-year-old mother of four children. In a matter of seconds, her home was destroyed, leaving her and her children without shelter and belongings. Despite the devastation, Denkele remains hopeful. “I lost my home, but not my hope,” she said. “I thank God that we are alive and escaped death.” Today, her life is filled with uncertainty. Instead of sheltering in the established IDP sites, she opted to temporarily stay with relatives where space and resources are already stretched. For Denkele, surviving the landslide was only the beginning. Like many others affected, she is now trying to rebuild her life from scratch. 

The Response

The Government of Ethiopia was quick to dispatch search and rescue teams, tirelessly looking for survivors. Partners deployed assessment teams to monitor the situation, inform emergency response as well as mitigation efforts.  Life-saving response is currently ongoing under the leadership of the South Ethiopia Region Disaster Risk Management Commission (DRMC), with the support of the Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC), UNOCHA and UN and NGO partners. 

Resource mobilized by partners nears US$1 million, including through the Ethiopia Rapid Response Mechanism - ET-RRM, supporting gender-sensitive emergency health, water and hygiene interventions, the distribution of supplementary food, provision of logistics support as well as distribution of shelter and other essential life-saving supplies. This complemented the significant Government contribution of Birr 110 million (~$715,000) as well as contributions from private companies and individuals. 

The risk of landslides in South Ethiopia Region continues, with the ongoing seasonal rainfall in the country and reported unstable ground conditions, necessitating urgent evacuation. According to the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI), the Belg/spring (Mid-February–May) rains are intensifying, particularly across southern and southwestern parts of the country, including Wolaita, Gamo, Gofa, Keffa, Bench Sheko, West Omo and surrounding areas. Forecasts indicate normal to above-normal rainfall for late April/early May 2026. 

What next? 

At present, the Government is prioritizing the relocation of displaced and at-risk populations to safer ground. Some 185 hectares of land have been allocated for the relocation of the displaced, and excavation work was completed on at least 2 hectares of land. Some 300 households have so far registered for voluntary relocation, but resource constraint is delaying progress. The EDRMC, with UNOCHA’s support, will be coordinating with partners to ensure a voluntary, dignified and sustainable relocation of the affected and at-risk population. 

A landslide research conducted by the Ethiopia Emergency Shelter and NFI Cluster and the Global Shelter Cluster following the July 2024 Gofa Zone landslide had noted that although the trigger was prolonged and intense rainfall, the main causes of landslides are natural factors (geology, slope, groundwater and intense rainfall) and human factors (deforestation, hillside farming, population growth and infrastructure development). The research proposed some alignment with humanitarian actions, including:

• Prioritizing risk-informed land use and site planning: Avoid settlement, infrastructure, and service provision in high-risk slopes, and ensure all clusters align with hazard mapping and safe site selection guidance.
• Integrating drainage and slope stabilization across interventions: Ensure all sector activities include basic measures to manage water runoff and reduce soil instability, minimizing triggers of landslides. 
• Strengthening community-based early warning and preparedness: Support at-risk communities with awareness, simple mitigation actions, and clear evacuation planning linked to early warning systems